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Judge of Their Astonishment and Wild Delight When They 
Saw the Aeroplane Leave the Earth. 


(Chapter VIII.) 


(Bird Boys’ Aeroplane Wonder.) 



THE BIRD BOYS’ 
AEROPLANE WONDER 

Or 

Young Aviators On a 
Cattle Ranch 





Chicago 

M. A. DONOHUE & COMPANY 


yl 

Bcu 


Copyright 1914 
M. A. Donohue & Company 
Chicago 


\ - 
1 < ' ~ 


JUN 13 1914 


© Cl. A 3 7 4 4 3 8 


CONTENTS 


Chapter Page 

I — Under the Spreading Beech 7 

II — “ Glorious News!” 18 

III — Looking For Trouble 30 

IV — The Panic That Came to Pass 43 

V — What They Found at Witherspoon ... 56 

VI — At the Double X Ranch 66 

VII — A Pretty Close Call 76 

VIII — Broncho Buster Meets His Match ... 86 

IX — Figuring It All Out 96 

X — Learning the Ropes on the Ranch . . . 106 

XI — Out for Bear 116 

XII — The Defense of the Log Bridge 126 

XIII — Never-to-be-Forgotten Days 136 

XIV — Off For the Round-Up 146 

XV— The One Who Came Back 156 

XVI — An Alarming Discovery 166 

XVII — The Carrying Off of Little Becky. . . . 176 

XVIII — The Aeroplane Pursuit 186 

XIX — Over Plain and Desert 196 

XX — What Andy Saw From Aloft 206 

XXI — The Terror of the Air 218 

XXII — The Bird Boys’ Triumph 230 

XXIII — Home Again — Conclusion 242 





The 

Bird Boys’ Aeroplane Wonder 

Or, Young Aviators On a Cattle Ranch 
CHAPTER I 

UNDER THE SPREADING BEECH 

“Was there ever such great luck, fellows?’’ 

“Whew! for oue, I feel like giving a vote of 
thanks to the striking masons, who loafed pretty 
much all summer, and held the repair work on 
the Bloomsbury High building up till now.” 

“Them’s my sentiments, Elephant!” 

“And they say now the work can’t be fin- 
ished and school taken up till December! What 
d'ye think of that, Frank, and you, Larry?” 

“Glory to goodness! two extra months’ vaca- 
tion, and right through October too, when the 
chestnuts are ripe, and walnuts are dropping! 
What bully days we’ve got ahead of us, boys!” 

“And November, too, mind you,” went on the 
little “runt” who had been called “Elephant” 
in a joke by his chums and could not shake off 
the name, “the month when the frisky cotton- 
tail is also ripe. Say, Frank, won ’t you have 


8 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


a ge-lorious time trying out that new Marlin 
pump-gun you got for your last birthday?” 

The third member of the group sitting under 
the beech tree had as yet not spoken, since his 
two companions started to give expression to 
their extravagant delight over the wonderful 
news brought by Fennimore Cooper Small, 
the aforesaid “Elephant,” whose father hap- 
pened to be the head Selectman of the town, 
and could fetch the decision of the Board of 
School Trustees home before the rest of the 
worthy citizens had been put wise to the facts. 

“Well,” said Frank Bird, with one of his rare 
smiles that always made him friends wherever 
he went, “I had a pretty good idea it would 
end that way, when I heard how the trustees 
failed to find any building in town that would 
answer to house the high school pupils. Yes, 
I’m glad for some things, and sorry for others. 
But it’ll give the Bird boys a chance to do a 
little more flying before winter sets in and 
stops all that fun.” 

Frank and his cousin Andy had become quite 
famous throughout the region around Blooms- 
bury, a town in Central New York, on account 
of the wonderful success they had made of 
aviation. 

Indeed, some of the doings of the Bird Boys, 


UNDER THE SPREADING BEECH 9 


as they were called, had even found their way 
into the columns of the big metropolitan papers, 
and among professional birdmen they were 
looked upon as most promising “ comers. ” 

Back of Frank’s house — where he lived with 
his father, Professor Bird, once a noted balloonist 
and scientist, together with an old gentleman 
who had served as guardian to Frank when his 
father was believed to have perished on one of 
his long flights while exploring parts of the 
Panama Isthmus — in a field some distance in 
the rear of his house there had been built a fine 
workshop, where the two boys spent most of 
their time when not in the air. 

Already they had invented quite a few in- 
genious contrivances which gave promise that 
some day their names would figure along with 
those that have made aviation in heavier-than- 
air machines what it is today — those of the 
Wright brothers. 

Close to this workshop was the great “ hangar” 
in which they kept their aeroplane when it was 
not in use; and since enemies had frequently 
tried to injure their property these buildings 
were not only securely locked but as a rule 
watched of nights. 

To tell even a small portion of the doings of 
these bold cousins when navigating the ^ air 


1 0 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


would consume too much space and time; and 
the reader who has been unfortunate enough 
not to have enjoyed their perusal is referred 
back to the previous volumes in this Series, 
where they will be found recorded at length, 
and the story told in an entertaining manner. 

The third member of the little group taking 
it easy under the wide spreading beech tree, 
with its thick branches, was one Larry Geo- 
hegan, a firm friend of the Bird boys; whose 
only fault was the envy he often felt because 
he could never accompany either of his flying 
chums aloft, being afflicted with a weakness 
that made him dizzy whenever he looked down 
from any height. 

Elephant had met the other two quite by 
accident on the road, and stopped to com- 
municate the grand news, which he had heard 
his father tell at the breakfast table. 

Apparently the other two lads were going 
fishing, for they had poles and bait cans lying 
on the ground. There was a beautiful lake 
named Sunrise, upon which the town lay; and 
a mile away a stream ran into this which could 
always be depended upon to furnish a splendid 
string of bass, chubs, sunfish and horned pouts 
or catfish, when the wind was favorable, as 
happened on this lovely morning. 


UNDER THE SPREADING BEECH 1 1 


“What were you waiting here for under this 
tree; did you expect Andy to show up?” asked 
Elephant after he had declared his intention of 
joining the fishing party, and cutting a pole 
when he got on the grounds. 

“Just what we did,” replied Frank. “He 
spent last night out at Spencer’s, because as 
you all know, the old gentleman is especially 
fond of Andy, and every once in so often begs 
him to come out and cheer him up. ” 

“Yes, and they do say he means to leave 
all he’s got to Andy, in trust of his father, 
Doctor Bird, ” declared Larry, that little streak 
of envy again making itself evident in his 
voice; for it did seem to him that things were 
always coming to his chums and passing him 
by. 

“Oh! that’s silly talk,” laughed Frank, 
“I wouldn’t pay any attention to it, if I were 
you, Larry. I’m sure Andy never gives such 
a thing a thought. He’s only too glad to 
oblige the poor old man who’s so crippled with 
rheumatism that he can hardly hobble around. 
And you know that years and years ago he 
used to be a noted traveler, and a lecturer as 
well. Why, fellows, there hasn’t hardly been 
a country on the face of the earth that Mr. 
Spencer hasn’t visited, and explored. I could 


12 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


sit for hours and just hear him tell about 
what he’s seen and gone through with. I try to 
go out with Andy every chance I get; but last 
night I was too busy with a knotty problem 
I had to solve.” 

“I just bet you it was about some new con- 
traption you’re making up to surprise the 
flying people. Already you’ve done a heap 
along that line, Frank; and they do say that 
the time is sure to come when you’ll give the 
Wrights, and all that bunch, a rude jolt, by 
inventing something that they’ve all been 
trying hard to discover, but nixey, nothing 
doing up to date; because the time ain’t ripe, 
and the Bird boys haven’t had a fair chance 
to show what they can do.” 

Frank only laughed when Elephant applied 
this thick coat of flattery. He was accustomed 
to hearing this sort of talk from that quarter; 
because the Small boy had always been one of 
his greatest admirers from the time when he and 
Andy were struggling with their first rude 
pattern of an aeroplane, in which they had in- 
stalled some sort of cranky engine, and actually 
taken short flights, without getting their necks 
or legs broken. 

“But you must have agreed to meet Andy 
here then, didn’t you?” Elephant went on to 


UNDER THE SPREADING BEECH 13 


remark, stretching his neck to glance along the 
road as he spoke. 

“That was the agreement when he went off 
on his wheel yesterday afternoon,” replied 
Frank Bird. “If the morning looked fishy, 
Larry and myself were to wait here under the 
old beech at eight o ’clock until he came along. 
You see, I’ve got a pole for him; and we dug 
lots of worms. Larry even went out last night 
with a lantern, and picked up a can of big fat 
night-walkers that look like young snakes. I 
dropped in at Andy’s house on the way here, 
and told them he wouldn’t be back till evening, 
if the fish took good, and the bathing turned 
out fine. We’ve also got plenty of grub along; 
yes, enough for you, too, Elephant.” 

“Hoop-la! you make me feel happy when 
you say that, Frank; because I was born with 
an appetite, you must know; and when I can ’t 
get my grub at least three times per diem I ’m 
apt to complain,” and the Small boy grinned 
good-naturedly as he made this remark. 

“I say, Frank, have you and Andy invested 
that reward money the bank insisted on you 
accepting when you captured the two hobo 
yeggmen who broke into their safe; and also 
stole Percy Carberry’s biplane to make their 
get-away in?” asked Larry, who, it might as 


94 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


well be confessed right here, had a pretty 
average streak of curiosity in his make-up, and 
was forever wanting to know this, that, and the 
other thing. 

“Oh!” answered the other carelessly, “we’ve 
still got that in bank, and may put it into 
another machine later on 5 or else invest in some 
parts we want to work with, Andy having a 
new idea this time that looks worth while 
experimenting with.” 

“You sure are the luckiest pair I ever ran 
up against, and that’s a fact!” declared Larry. 

“We think so ourselves,” Frank admitted. 
“There’s one thing certain, and that is we don ’t 
deserve all the great times we’ve been having 
this year and more.” 

“Don’t you believe it!” exclaimed Elephant. 
“It ain’t luck so much as being everlastingly 
at it, and minding how you do things. You 
deserve all you ’ve got, Frank; and lots of people 
say so besides me. ” 

“Here comes Andy,” remarked Larry, anx- 
ious to turn the conversation just then, for 
he was really somewhat ashamed of his weak- 
ness, I saw him flash past that open place up 
the road, and spinning along like fun.” 

“Yes, you’re right there, Larry,” added 
Frank, “and here he is.” 


UNDER THE SPREADING BEECH 1 5 


A boy mounted on a fine bicycle came whirl- 
ing along the road, and speedily drew up at the 
beech with the dense foliage, which later on 
would yield a harvest of the small but sweet 
nuts boys love so well when it is a “fat” sea- 
son. 

Andy Bird was not quite as tall as his cou- 
sin, though well built and rather stocky at that. 
There was more or less resemblance between 
them, although their temperaments differed 
in many ways, Andy being more inclined to 
impulsiveness than the cooler and far-seeing 
Frank. But they were exceedingly fond of 
each other, and had been inseparable for years. 

Andy threw himself from his saddle, and 
lowering his wheel to the ground after the usual 
boyish way, dropped down beside the others. 

“Whew! I hit it up at a lively clip all the way 
down!” he remarked. “You see, it’s awful 
hard to break away from Mr. Spencer, and he 
kept me up to the last minute. I knew you 
said eight o’clock, Frank, and I didn’t want to 
keep you waiting. Glad you turned up, Ele- 
phant; we tried to get you on the phone yester- 
day afternoon; but they said you’d gone off, 
and nobody knew where. Going with us, 
ain’t you?” 

“Make your mind easy on that, Andy,” 


1 6 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


replied the diminutive Elephant, glibly. “I 
never could hold out when there was any fishing 
going on. I just revel in pulling out the gamey 
bass, the festive catfish, and the acrobatic 
eel; while as for perch and pickerel and sunfish, 
why, I delight to see them wriggling on the 
hook, ready to take their places in the pan. 
See you’ve got a fryingpan along, Larry; and 
that means w r e’ll have fish for dinner today — 
after we grab ’em out of the water.” 

“But Andy think of the bully good news 
Elephant’s gone and brought with him,” Larry 
went on to say, jubilantly, “the trustees have 
finally decided that, as the big repairs on the 
high school building have been started, and 
can’t possibly be done till early winter, why, 
because there’s no place in town that could be 
used just now, vacation has got to be lengthened 
until about the first of December.” 

Andy Bird looked delighted, as what boy 
would not. Immediately his eyes traveled 
in the direction of his cousin, and there was 
exchanged between them a significant series 
of nods and winks, that possibly meant their 
thoughts were along the same lines; and that 
now they would have the time to go with certain 
work that had been taking their attention of 
late. 


UNDER THE SPREADING BEECH 1 7 


“ By the way, ” said Frank, “ I stopped at your 
house on the way out, Andy, to tel] your father 
that you would go fishing with us, and not to 
expect you till night. And he gave me a letter 
for you that he said had come in the early 
morning mail. From the postmark 1 see it's 
from your uncle Jethro, away down on that 
Arizona ranch you were telling me about. 
Here it is, and a fine fat one too. ” 

Andy hastily opened the letter, and was 
heard to give vent to a low cry that seemed to 
spell both astonishment and delight. 

“ What ’s this mean? ” exclaimed Frank, stoop- 
ing to pick up a paper that had fallen to the 
ground, “why, as sure as you live, it’s a check 
made out to you, Andy, and signed by the old 
bachelor uncle, your mother’s brother. Hold 
your breath, fellows, while I whisper what 
the amount is he takes pleasure in sending to his 
beloved nephew — four figures in it, as sure as you 
live — a clean thousand dollars!” 

Larry gave a groan and threw up his hands 
while his eyes rolled. 

“Of all the lucky fellows, you Bird boys do 
certain sure take the cake!” he cried. 


18 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


CHAPTER II 

GLORIOUS NEWS 

“ Ain’t yoa going to read it out, Andy?” 
asked Elephant, anxiously. 

“Wait till he gets through, can’t you?” 
asked Larry, although he was fairly trembling 
with eagerness to hear what the sending of that 
glorious check could mean; when he looked at 
the small bit of paper Frank was holding he 
almost held his breath with awe, for to tell the 
truth Larry had never seen a check a quarter 
as large as that in all his life. 

Andy could not say a word when he finished 
reading. He seemed to be fairly overpowered 
with emotion, and holding the letter out to 
Frank, motioned that he should accommodate 
the other two. 

And so Frank started in. The letter was 
written in a cramped hand, as if uncle Jethro 
Witherspoon had rather lost the knack of using 
a pen; but then Frank could wade through it, 
even if he did hestitate here and there. 

It started in after this fashion: 

“My Dear Nephew, Andrew Bird: — I’ve been 
hearing a whole lot about the w r ay you and 
your cousin Frank are coming along with that 


“GLORIOUS NEWS!” 


19 


airship business, and your mother has got me 
worked up to pretty nigh fever pitch about 
your precious doing. Now here I am, an old 
and cranky bachelor, with a big and success- 
ful cattle ranch on my hands, and no chick or 
child to cheer me up. I want you two boys 
to pay me a long visit, and bring that wonder 
of an aeroplane along with you. I sounded 
your mother some time back, without her letting 
you know, and she was agreeable, if only it 
could be arranged without interfering with 
your school duties. And here today your good 
dad, the doctor, has wired me that he believes 
there is going to be an extension of the vacation 
period for another two months. 

“Seems like things might be working to 
please a lonely old man out this way. Now 
here’s a little check to cover expenses. If 
you need any more draw on me to any amount. 
What ’s money for anyway but to give pleasure to 
somebody? Pack up that flying machine of 
yours, and either tuck it under your arm or else 
ship it by the fastest express you can get to 
receive it, regardless of cost. 

“I’m not going to take no for an answer. 
I want you and that smart cousin Frank down 
here to show some of my cow-punchers what’s 
doing in the line of this flying business. But 


20 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


most of all I want to see you. I've got your 
pictures before me as I write, and I’m counting 
the days until you arrive, bag and baggage. 
Wire me on receipt of this all about your plans 
and when you can start. If you say you can ’t 
come, I’m going up after you. I’m used to 
having my own way, the boys down here will 
tell you. With lots of love, believe me, 

“Your affectionate uncle, 

“Jethro Witherspoon.” 

When Frank finished reading this remark- 
able letter, Larry gasped for breath; while 
little Elephant stood on his hands and cracked 
his heels together. 

“That sure takes the cake, Andy, Frank!” 
he declared, when he had once more resumed 
his customary position, with his head higher 
than his heels. “And my stars! what a ge- 
lorious time you two will have of it, away down 
in that desert corner of Arizona! Cowboys — 
bucking bronchos — -whirling ropes — branding 
cattle — the merry round-up — the camp-outs 
on the plains, and all them stunts. Oh! what 
wouldn’t I give to be going along with you, 
fellers?” 

“It’s always better to be born lucky than rich; 
I’ve said that before, and I’m ready to stick by 
it!” stoutly asserted Larry. 


“GLORIOUS NEWS!” 


21 


“ Frank, can we go, do you think?” asked 
Andy, almost in a whisper, as though he had 
hardly as yet recovered his breath, taken away 
at the wonderful news contained in that letter 
which his cousin had brought him. 

“We’ll think it over and see,” replied the 
other, always avoiding the rush tactics that 
Andy frequently displayed, and which made 
him a valued member of the Bloomsbury High 
football eleven. “But I rather guess it could 
be arranged, if my father is willing.” 

“Huh! no danger of him saying no,” grunted 
Larry. “He ought to know that you two boys 
can take care of yourselves anywhere on the 
face of the earth. After you went down to 
Colombia in South America, and figured out 
where he must have drifted to, when he lost 
control of his balloon; afterwards rescuing him 
from that queer old valley surrounded by the 
high cliffs, that made him a prisoner, the Pro- 
fessor 'd say yes if you wanted to try a trip to 
the moon. And some of us 'd believe you, if you 
said you'd been that far in your airship, and 
shook hands with the Old Man up there. ” 

“But he wants us to take our aeroplane 
along, Frank; could we pack that up and send 
it by express, do you think? Will they take 
anything as big and cumbersome as that, in 


22 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


boxes or crates, by express? ” Andy went on, 
eagerly, as though in his mind the fact of their 
going was already assured. 

“I guess they ’ll take anything short of a 
house!” declared Elephant. “Even if it needs 
a special car to carry it along. If you sent the 
thing by freight, chances are it’d be a whole 
month getting there.” 

“And time counts with Uncle Jethro more 
than money does with most men,” remarked 
Larry. “You see he wants to get you there 
with your flier regardless of expense. Why, 
I’d wire him tonight, Andy, and pack up in a 
couple of days. Elephant ’nd me ’ll help out 
all we can.” 

“Well, I should say we’d thank you for the 
chance,” spoke up the Small boy. 

“It’s hard to believe we’ve got such a great 
chance to see something of that country down 
there among the mountains and deserts and 
plains of Arizona,” Andy w^ent on to say, as 
though he wanted some one to stick him with a 
pin, so as to find out whether he were really 
awake, or only dreaming. 

“And I never dreamed we’d have such a 
great opening to visit that country,” the other 
Bird boy went on to say, while his face beamed 
with delight which refused to be repressed. 


“GLORIOUS NEWS!” 


23 


“That uncle of yours must be a fine old chap, 
Andy. His letter is a peach, and I’m as sure 
as anything we’ll like him from the word go. 
Think of his throwing you a check for a thousand 
just like it might be thirty cents* and telling 
you to draw on him to any amount. He must 
think we’ll be wanting to charter a special train 
to take us and the aeroplane along. ” 

“Chances are he’d stand for it,” ventured 
Larry. “Say, why didn’t some rich old uncle 
of mine think of me, and send a little piece of 
paper this way? I ’ve got half a dozen wealthy 
ones, but they don’t know I’m on the face of 
the earth. ” 

“Well,” said Elephant, “get busy then, and 
make the name of Geohegan famous, and then 
they’ll all break their necks trying to get you 
to let ’em adopt you. The trouble is, Larry, 
you hide your light under a bushel too much. 
Fly high, like the Bird boys do, and everybody 
’ll see what you are. ” 

The other gave a dismal groan. 

“That’s just what ails me,” he complained, 
“I can ’t fly at all. Why, I get dizzy in a swing; 
and even when I go out on the lake, if she’s 
the least bit rough, you’ll find me hangin’ 
over the side right away, tryin’ to see how deep 
it- is, and wonderin’ if drowning ’d stop my 


24 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


troubles easy like. I reckon I'll just have to 
make up my mind that if ever I set this old 
world afire, it’s got to be by doin’ some stu- 
pendous intellectual stunt. That seems to be 
my long hold, just as eatin’s yours, Elephant.” 

“Rats,” jeered the other, contemptuously, 
“as if you couldn’t stow away twice as much 
as me any day you felt like it. I talk a heap 
about the grub racket* but you can work them 
jaws of yours to beat the band, Larry Geo- 
hegan.” 

“Well, do we start off now, or fuss around 
and chatter like a lot of monkeys?” demanded 
the party thus referred to by Elephant. 

“What about your wheel, Andy; you don’t 
want to lug that along through the timber by 
that snaky trail?” asked Frank. 

“I had fixed all that in my mind as I ped- 
alled,” was the reply. “You know we have 
to pass the Fletcher place just above here, be- 
fore we strike off the road, and I can leave the 
bike there till we come out this afternoon.” 

“Sure thing!” commented Elephant, nodding 
his head sagely; just as though when he ap- 
proved of a suggestion it had the hall mark 
of wisdom stamped on it. 

“I’ve done that more’n once when I had my 
wheel along,” declared Larry, bent on show : ng 


“GLORIOUS NEWS!” 


25 


his chums that he could have an original idea 
once in a while, even though fame had not 
picked him out for a favorite. 

“Did you bring a pole along for me, Frank? ” 
asked Andy. 

“Yes, and plenty of hooks, and lines, and 
sinkers, and what-not,” replied the one ad- 
dressed. “Elephant, here, says he’ll cut a pole 
after we get on the ground; and the chances 
are he’ll be the luckiest fisherman of the lot. 
nearly always turns out that way, I notice; 
for the fellow who just takes things as they come 
along gets the biggest fish and the greatest 
number. Now, you see, I’ve got a rod along, 
a real jointed split bamboo rod that was given 
to me last Christmas by my guardian, old 
Colonel Whympers. I ’m going to be the toney 
angler, and try all sorts of stunts while the rest 
of you are pulling in the fish. But to me a 
pound bass caught on light tackle is better 
than one that weighs three times as heavy, if 
I have to just yank him in with a pole, and a 
cord tied to the end — no reel, no fine leader, 
only a hook in a bunch of wiggling worms, and 
a float above the sinker. ” 

“Huh! you’re getting big notions, Frank,” 
grunted Larry. “Time was when you seemed 
just as well pleased with one of these long cane 


26 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


poles. I’m mighty much afraid you’re getting 
spoiled, my boy.” 

“Well, if somebody made you a present of a 
beautiful jointed rod like that, now, Larry— — ” 
began Andy. 

“Ain’t no chance for that to happen; no- 
body ever thinks to remember my birthday, 
’cept you fellers; when you pound me nearly 
to death, and then treat to the ice cream to 
make up for it,” Larry lamented, dolefully. 

“But supposing they did,” persisted Andy, 
who never liked to give up anything on which 
he had started; “now, wouldn’t you want to 
get acquainted with it; and if you caught a 
good fish that way, and felt how he pulled, and 
saw the slender rod bend nearly double, wouldn’t 
you want to try it again and again, honest 
Injun, Larry tell me?” 

“Oh! I guess so, Andy,” answered the other, 
making a grimace, “but there ain’t no such 
luck for me. I must a been born under an evil 
star, my mom says, because I’m always bustin’ 
things at home. She says it’s because I’m so 
clumsy; but I know better. Why, seems like 
some things just fall over and smash, when I 
happen to look at ’em.” 

“Then for goodness sake quit looking at me 
like that, Larry!” exclaimed Elephant. “I 


“GLORIOUS NEWS!” 


27 


ain ’t got no hoops around me right now, and I 
tell you I don ’t want to bust any — not till after 
we’ve had that bully old camp dinner today, 
anyhow. Just turn your eyes the other way, 
thank you.” 

Andy had meanwhile carefully placed the 
wonderful check inside the envelope once more, 
and with a pin fastened the latter in his coat 
pocket. It was Frank’s suggestion that he 
do this; for the latter knew from experience 
that Andy could be a bit careless at times. 
And the thought of losing that windfall, when 
so delightful a future beckoned to them through 
its means, would be enough to give any boy 
the heart-ache. 

“All ready, boys?” asked Frank, presently, 
as he stooped and carefully picked up the little 
covered case in which his fine rod lay, each joint 
reposing in the groove that was made to hold it. 

“ Yep. Let me carry the poles, Larry. You- 
’re always getting things caught in the bushes 
and trees as we go along. Why, only the last 
time we came fishin’ didn ’t you hook me in the 
ear, and make me howl like anything? You 
take care of that fryingpan, and the bundle of 
grub. And walk ahead, so’s we c’n kinder 
keep an eye on you, please, Larry. ” 

“Huh! think you’re smart to say that, don’t 


28 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


you, Elephant? ” grunted the other, but in spite 
of the fact that these two were usually in some 
sort of a “spat,” they were really great friends, 
and ready to do almost anything, one for the 
other. 

So the four boys left the shelter of the fine 
old beech that stood alongside the road, while 
its mates grew over on the other fence; for 
strangely enough, Frank had noticed that beech 
trees like company, and are rarely if ever, 
found alone. 

They walked briskly along the road, with 
their backs turned in the direction of the not far 
distant town. A little ways off they would 
climb the fence, pass through a field, enter the 
woods, and by a short-cut reach the fishing 
grounds much more easily than if they had 
skirted the lake, and coming to the little river, 
followed up its sinuous course. 

Just as they came to the bend a short ways 
above, Larry, who was ahead, happening to 
turn around in order to say something was 
seen to stare, and then exclaim: 

“Well, now, if that don’t beat anything 
going!” 

Of course his strange words, together with 
the look on his face, aroused the curiosity of 
the other three boys. They, too, turned their 


♦‘GLORIOUS NEWS!” 


29 


heads, thinking in this fashion to discover what 
had given Larry so great a shock; but so far as 
they could see, there was nothing at all in sight. 

“What was it?” demanded Andy. 

“Did you see somebody?” demanded Ele- 
phant, getting his poles in every sort of trouble, 
in his eagerness to learn what it was all about 
back there. 

“Yes, and what do you think, fellows, he. 
just dropped down out of the branches of that 
big birch tree, and hurried into the bushes like 
fun. Take my word for it, he must a-been up 
there all the time we was sittin’ talking; and if 
that’s so, he learned about Andy here getting 
that letter and check from Uncle Kethro, ’way 
down in the cow-puncher country.” 

“But who in the mischief was it, Larry, 
did you know him?” persisted Elephant. 

“I should say yes; and who but that sneak 
of a Sandy Hollingshead, the shadow that 
hangs around after Percy Carberry, and does 
most of his mean work for him. And chances 
are, he’s makin’ for town right now, to tell all 
he’s learned. Say, won ’t your old rival, Percy, 
be mad, though, when he hears of the luck that 
has come to the Bird boys? ” 


30 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


CHAPTER III 

LOOKING FOR TROUBLE 

Andy looked somewhat serious when Larry 
said this; but Frank on his part only laughed. 

“Well, what does it matter?” he remarked. 
“The thing will be town talk in a little while, 
and those fellows would hear it that way. Let 
Sandy run with his great news and give his 
chum a pain. You don’t think for a minute 
that because we’ve got a chance to go off there 
to the cattle country, that Percy Carberry 
would make up his mind to hike that way, 
with some sort of machine he’s got coming, to 
take the place of that new biplane the bank 
thieves wrecked for him in Lake Ontario? ” 

“But you know how bitter he’s always 
been against us, Frank?” expostulated Andy. 

“ Many ’s the time he ’s tried to do us a bad turn ; 
and even up in the air he used to take the 
greatest delight in swooping past us, just as 
close as he dared, and give us a scare; though 
he quit that when you threatened to lick him.” 

“But didn’t you do Perc a great favor that 
time he had his machine knocked to flinders on 
the table rock up yonder?” demanded Ele- 
phant, turning to point his rods upwards to 


LOOKING FOR TROUBLE 


38 


j^where quite a mountain reared its head toward 
the clouds, and which was locally known as 
Old Thunder-Top, though in the atlas it had 
another name. 

Nobody had ever been able to climb to the 
summit of that precipitous height, and when 
tthe Bird boys landed there once from their 
^aeroplane and planted a flag above the nest 
;of the white-headed eagles they achieved a 
great triumph. The incident to which Ele- 
phant alluded had been brought about during 
a sudden thunder storm that had caught the 
rival aeroplanes while making a flight to the 
top of the mountain; and at that time the Bird 
boys were indeed placed in a position to save 
the lives of Percy Carberry and his comrade 
Sandy; but since gratitude was a foreign ele- 
ment in the make-up of the jealous rival, he 
had never shown that he meant to change his 
tactics toward Frank and Andy. 

“ Oh ! nevermind about what we did, ” remarked 
Frank. “Forget it, just as Percy has done. 
Tomorrow, we ’ll get as busy as beavers, packing 
the machine in the cases; and how lucky we 
didn’t break them up as you wanted to do, 
Andy, just to get rid of the stuff, you said. 
I guess we ought to be able to ship on the next 
day, and then learn just how long it’ll be on 


32 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


the way, so we can time our own going. ” 

“Huh! seems to me you ain’t botherin’ 
much about whether your dad’]] give his con- 
sent, eh, Frank?” remarked Larry, grinning. 

“Oh! I’m taking that for granted; because 
you all seemed so sure he wouldn’t refuse me 
that favor,” chuckled Frank. “But come 
along, boys; what do we care if Sandy 
did get the news first hand, by climbing that 
tree when he saw us coming along the road, and 
keeping those big ears of his wide open. So far 
as I’m concerned I’d just as soon tell them 
myself all about our plans; because if we’re 
away down in Arizona, and they stay here in 
old Bloomsbury, I don’t think Percy’s got a 
long enough arm to reach that far, and do us 
any harm.” 

“He sure would if he could, and don’t you 
forget it,” muttered Elephant; and at that 
Andy looked more or less troubled. 

As our story concerns the doings of the Bird 
boys in other fields than that of their old stamp- 
ing grounds around the home town, we need 
not accompany them further on their visit to 
the fishing hole. Enough to state that the 
finny tribes bit eagerly at times, and that be- 
sides having a fish dinner at noon, they all 
carried home respectable strings to exhibit as 


LOOKING FOR TROUBLE 


33 


evidence of their prowess with hook and line. 

Frank doubtless felt satisfied with his sport, 
even though he did not take the largest bass, 
nor the greatest number for that matter* and 
the whole of them came home by sundown, 
tired, yet satisfied with the day’s sport. 

During the many hours spent alongside the 
deep hole where the fish loved to lie in these 
late summer days, there was plenty of time in 
which to discuss the coming departure of Frank 
and Andy for the Far West. And it can be set 
down as certain that the subject was threshed 
as dry as a bone before the quartette separated 
for the, night. 

Early the next day Elephant and Larry 
showed up at Frank’s house, to find him already 
busily at work out there at the hangar, taking 
off bolts, and dismembering the wonderful 
aeroplane with the confidence of one who was 
familiar with every minute detail of its con- 
struction; which was only the truth, for with 
his cousin he had partly built at least three 
“fliers” up to now, and was continually thinking 
up some new arrangement that would make the 
task of piloting aeroplanes through the upper 
air currents much easier, or possibly add to their 
safety when rocked by furious gusts of wind 
among the clouds. 


34 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


Andy soon showed up, and almost quivering 
with eagerness to get busy. There did not 
seem to be the slightest thing in sight to disturb 
the two who were planning such great things. 

And that was indeed a busy morning for the 
four friends. 

Elephant and Larry were only too anxious 
to do all that lay in their power, in order to 
assist. True, their knowledge of the mechanism 
connected with these amazing air travelers was 
rather limited; but then both were willing to do 
odd jobs of carrying, and nailing up cases; so 
that altogether they made themselves very 
useful indeed. 

Larry managed to bottle up his envy on this 
occasion, and even seemed quite gay. As a 
rule he was a good companion, cheerful, willing, 
and generous to a degree. And Elephant 
could hardly have been any happier even 
though given the opportunity to accompany 
the pair of adventurous voyagers on their long 
trip. 

Then came the afternoon session, and they 
went at it with renewed vim. It is astonishing 
what an amount of solid work four husky boys 
can put in during a whole day with the tools, 
especially when two of them are as expert in 


LOOKING FOR TROUBLE 


35 


handling monkey wrenches and the like as 
Frank and Andy were. 

By four o ’clock the aeroplane had been com- 
pletely and securely packed, and they were 
waiting for the big truck which Frank had 
engaged at the livery stable, to show up, in order 
to carry the same to the freight station of the 
railroad. 

The man presently came along, and with 
the help of the four boys the various boxes and 
crates were loaded. Then they started off, 
headed for the railroad; and as their route lay 
directly through town it was not long before 
quite a following of youngsters trailed along, 
chattering about the mysterious way in which 
Frank Bird was about to ship his aeroplane, 
and inventing all sorts of miraculous stories 
about certain races in which the two cousins 
were slated to take part; until one boy more 
daring than his mates, managed to climb up on 
the truck, and read the address which had 
been plainly printed on every piece of freight. 

So it was known that the aeroplane was being 
shipped far away to Arizona; and it may be 
set down as certain that this fact only served 
to whet the curiosity of that crowd of half- 
grown lads more than ever. 

Frank had learned on the preceding evening 


36 BIRD BOYS' AEROPLANE WONDER 


how it would have to be sent out. The express 
people would haudle it after a certain fashion, 
shipping by what they called fast freight. The 
agent calculated that in this way it would take 
about ten or twelve days for the aeroplane to 
reach the border town where Andy’s uncle was 
to meet them upon their arrival. 

Of course that meant a long delay, and much 
fretting; but it was the best that could be 
arranged, and Andy had to abide by it. But 
between them he and Elephant and Larry had 
decided that they would not let the precious 
freight go unguarded for a minute, until it was 
placed in a car on the following morning, and 
had left Bloomsbury on the freight that would 
rush it to the nearest city, where it could be 
attached to the fast train that left daily for 
Western points. 

Frank was inclined to make fun of his cousin 
for his suspicions, and declared that according 
to his mind they had nothing to fear, except 
the possibilities of a fire sweeping down upon 
the ramshackle freight house, which was the 
best Bloomsbury could boast until the new 
stone one was completed. 

“Do just whatever you want to, boys,” he 
had remarked, after they had received the re- 
ceipt for the freight, and paid the charges all 


LOOKING FOR TROUBLE 


37 


the way through, with some of the cash that 
wouderful check had been exchanged for after 
Andy had written his full name across the back; 
“but I rather think you 11 have all your trouble 
for your pains. As for me, I’ve got a few im- 
portant things to work at tonight, and so, if 
you don’t mind, I’ll spend the time in the shop. 
Good luck to you all! Let me know the first 
thing in the morning if everything’s O. K.” 
With that Frank swung around on his heel 
and strode away. 

“How about that, Andy,” demanded Larry, 
when they saw Frank vanish beyond the open 
door of the freight shed; “is he really giving us 
the hook because we think it best to watch the 
blooming freight tonight, for fear that tricky 
Perc Carberry and his man Friday, I mean 
Sandy, swoop down upon it, and do something 
to make your fine airship good only for the 
scrap-heap? ” 

Andy laughed as he replied: 

“You just don’t know Frank as well as I 
do,” he observed. “Chances are that if we 
hadn’t set up that howl about being afraid 
something was going to happen here, my 
cousin would have quietly sneaked along this 
way after dark, and stood on guard the whole 
blessed night.” 


38 BIRD BOYS* AEROPLANE WONDER 


“ What’s that you say, Andy, and he just 
laughed at us too? I didu ’t think Frank had 
it in him to play a joke like that, ” exclaimed 
Elephant, looking hurt. 

“Well, ” went on Andy Bird, “you see he knew 
we were bent on keeping guard here, and Frank 
does hate to see anybody disappointed; so he 
just let us have our own way about it. And then 
when he said he had something important to do 
at our shop, he spoke the truth; because he’s 
right now on the heels of a discovery that may 
mean a whole lot to us. ” 

“All right,” remarked Larry. “We’re only 
too glad to let Frank off, and run the whole 
shooting match ourselves, for once. Now, how 
shall we fix it so every fellow can get home to 
supper, and yet keep tab on what’s going on 
here all the while?” 

This was very easily adjusted, however. 
They left Larry on guard, because he said his 
folks had supper later than the rest; and both 
Elephant and Andy promised to hurry back 
as soon as they could get enough to eat; and 
let their folks know just why they did not ex- 
pect to occupy their beds that night. 

This plan worked all right. 

"When the two boys turned up together, one 
having called for the other, of course the first 


LOOKING FOR TROUBLE 


39 


thing they asked Larry was whether anything 
had happened; perhaps their sharp eyes de- 
tected the fact that he looked somewhat ex- 
cited, and they judged that this could hardly 
be unless he had seen something suspicious. 

“Well,” remarked Larry, with his favorite 
drawl, “I kept myself hid just as nice as you 
please, and I was glad I’d been so smart; be- 
cause who should walk in here talking to the 
agent but Perc himself. Seemed to be asking 
if any freight had come along for him, and made 
out to be pretty huffy over the delay of the rail- 
road to deliver stuff. Got the agent to hustle 
around, looking to see whether it could a-been 
overlooked, and hidden out of sight behind 
other things. But say, when he was sure the 
other’s back was turned, what did Perc do but 
step up to your stuff, Andy, and take a quick 
look at the directions you marked on each 
package. Then I heard him chuckle, step back, 
and measure distances with his eye; just like 
a feller might do that expected to come back 
here in the dark and prowl around and wanted 
to get his bearings well in his head!” 

“Wow! now what d’ye think of that?” ex- 
claimed Elephant, showing his white teeth 
aggressively, and doubling up his diminutive 
fist; for, although unusually small in stature, 


40 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


he was a spirited lad; just as the little bantam 
rooster seems ready to fight a big Plymouth 
Rock, or a Shanghai, for that matter, if the 
opportunity offers, and he feels that his dignity 
has been affronted. 

Andy nodded his head, and looked rather 
pleased. 

“Let'em come," he said, “it won't be the 
first time I've lain in wait, expecting a sneaking 
night visit from Percy Carberry and some of his 
crowd. And history has a way of repeating 
itself; so in that case he's going to be in for a 
mighty unpleasant experience, or my name 
isn 't Andy Bird. " 

The boys had thought fit to approach the 
agent, and tell him that since there was no way 
of locking up the heavy freight that lay around 
under that shed; and they had reason to fear 
that an attempt would be made to injure the 
crated aeroplane, they meant to watch through- 
out the night. Of course, he had not the 
slightest objection to offer. The company 
would be liable to damages should any occur, 
but that would prove but sorry compensation 
to the Bird boys for the loss of their aeroplane; 
since such a catastrophe was apt to prevent 
them from accepting the warm invitation of 
Uncle Jethro in far-away Arizona. 


LOOKING FOR TROUBLE 


41 


And after night set in the three sentries 
arranged matters to suit the plans of Andy, 
who had figured out a little scheme which he 
believed would cover the ground, and not 
only warn them when intruders started to lay 
hostile hands on the freight, but play havoc 
with their mean plans. 

The time passed slowly, and it must have 
been very near midnight when they heard the 
first indication that prowlers were about. The 
hanging door at the end of the old freight 
shed squeaked somewhat when moved; and this 
sound came plainly to the ears of Andy and 
his two chums. 

They touched each other, as if to give warning, 
and to make sure that no one of the guardians 
of the boxed aeroplanes could by any possibility 
be asleep. Then they got themselves ready to 
meet the intruders with a little surprise that 
was calculated to give them more or less of a 
shock. 

And as the three friends crouched there be- 
hind the boxes which they had moved in posi- 
tion for this very same purpose, they heard low 
faint whispering sounds that seemed to be 
gradually drawing closer and closer, as though 
those who groped their way in the dark might 


42 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


be comparing notes, and thus deciding whether 
they were moving along the right track. 

It looked as though the crisis might be very 
near; and that in perhaps another minute they 
would be compelled to throw off the mask and 
give the skulkers the surprise of their lives. 


THE PANIC THAT CAME TO PASS 43 


CHAPTER IV 

THE PANIC THAT CAME TO PASS 

“H’st! flash that light a little !” 

These low words were plainly heard by the 
two concealed boys. They came immediately 
after there had been some sort of head-on col- 
lision between a couple of the prowlers, which 
had resulted in grunts, and a plain unmistakable 
groan. 

Immediately a little shaft of bright light 
began moving this way and that. Some one 
carried a very small edition of an electric 
flash-light. It gave only an apology for a 
glow, and yet by moving this to the right and 
to the left, it would be possible to discover 
obstructions, and thus avoid any further col- 
lisions. 

Besides this, the eager searching eyes of the 
intruders would be apt to discover the boxed 
aeroplane, for undoubtedly Percy was one of 
the lot, and he must have marked the where- 
abouts of the freight pretty accurately in his 
mind, at the time he wandered around with the 
agent, pretending to search for his own stuff. 

“I see it!” some one said, in a satisfied tone. 

“Then for goodness sake show us,” grumbled 


44 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


another fellow, who was possibly rubbing an 
injured head or arm as he spoke. 

“This way, everybody; and get ready to do 
what I say!” 

That must surely be Percy Carberry talking, 
though neither Andy nor Elephant, nor yet 
Larry, could recognize the voice, which seemed 
strangely muffled. But the closer they ex- 
amined the three approaching figures, slouching 
along in a half hearted way, as though con- 
scious of the danger that hung over their 
heads while thus entering upon the property 
of the railroad, the more convinced Andy and 
his chums became that they had some sort of 
muffler fastened across the lower part of their 
faces, which interfered with their voices. 

Perhaps this had been done in the hope and 
expectation that, if by chance they were dis- 
covered while attempting to injure the aero- 
plane, they might pass for a lot of hobos at- 
tempting to pilfer something from the railroad 
yards that could be sold for enough money to 
buy liquor. 

Andy gave each of his companions a nudge, 
for Elephant was ranged on one side, while 
Larry crouched on the other. This was under- 
stood to be a signal. It just as much as said, 
“get ready now, to let go when you hear me 


THE PANIC THAT CAME TO PASS 45 


start in ! ” And both of the others immediately 
drew in the greatest breath they were capable 
of containing, according to the capacity of their 
lungs. 

That odd little glow kept wavering around in 
a queer manner. If Percy were holding the 
electric torch in his hand he must be trying 
to show his companions just how things lay, so 
that they could see how to get to work. 

In that moment of intense excitement none 
of the watchers thought of trying to guess what 
sort of mischief the prowlers had in view. It 
was quite enough for them to know that the 
precious aeroplane was the object of their 
malicious scheming. 

“ Are you all on? ” demanded a hoarse whisper. 

“Yes,” came from two other quarters, for 
the three intruders seemed to have ranged along 
side the heap of freight in as many different 
quarters, as though it might be their pre- 
arranged plan to attack it from various points. 

“Then get busy with you, fellows!” 

That was of course the last straw on the 
earner s back. When Andy heard these words, 
and realized that the attack on the boxed flying- 
machine was about to start in, he could hold 
back no longer. 

“Soak ’em, tigers!” 


46 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


The words were shouted at the top of his 
voice; and both Larry and the Small boy 
joined in the refrain, making all the noise 
they could possibly bring to bear, according 
to the amount of wind they had pent up in their 
lungs. 

No doubt the outburst of sound must have 
struck terror to the hearts of the trio of guilty 
skulkers, already very nervous on account of 
their knowledge that they were doing a mean 
and criminal act. In that minute they proba- 
bly received one of the greatest shocks of their 
lives. Detected in wrong-doing their con- 
sciences must have stabbed them like sharp- 
pointed knives; and the possible shameful 
results of being caught in the act, and held up 
as awful examples before the -rest of the town, 
gave them a wrench. 

But that was not all. 

Andy and his companions had made prepa- 
rations for bombarding the enemy with a 
shower of stones that were of no mean size. 
While the scantiness of the illumination might 
make such a thing as taking aim a difficult 
task, still, at such close quarters there were 
sure to be frequent collisions between the 
rapidly flying missiles and some parts of the 
bodies of the fleeing boys. 


THE PANIC THAT CAME TO PASS 47 


Above the cries of the assailants could be 
heard the shouts which the retreating skulkers 
gave vent to, as they fell over unseen packages 
of freight, banged headlong against walls that 
seemed strangely out of place, and doubtless 
accumulated a fine collection of bumps and 
bruises that would remind them of the adventure 
for a long time to come. 

Of course, as soon as the flight was fully 
on, Andy and his chums ceased bombarding 
the panic-stricken enemy, thinking that they 
had enough troubles of their own in trying to 
make the partly open door of the shed. 

When he went home to supper Andy had 
secured a little hand torch of his own, and one 
that possessed considerable more power than 
that Percy had fetched along. This he now 
brought into play; and by shooting the shaft 
of light ahead he w r as able to discover the three 
fleeing figures nearing the exit, and sprawling 
every-which-way, as they met up with obstacles 
of all sorts. 

“Come on, let’s capture ’em!” shouted 
Andy, and with his companions he started as if 
in hot pursuit, though of course this was meant 
only as a little additional spur, to add to the 
alarm of the run ners. 

When Andy and the other two boys broke 


48 BIRD BOYS' AEROPLANE WONDER 


out of the end of the freight shed they could 
still hear the frightened fellows banging up 
against things, for the yard was not kept as 
neatly as it might have been. One flying 
figure that they gave chase to fell into an open 
culvert, and though they looked for him, he had 
evidently crawled far underneath, in his great 
alarm, for they could not find a trace of the 
poor wretch, who must have remained there, 
wet and shivering, for hours, before he mustered 
up enough courage to crawl out and sneak 
home. 

Another made a headlong plunge over a pile 
of scrap iron; and though he managed to 
scramble excitedly to his feet, when he went off 
it was hopping on one leg a good deal of the 
way, and with a series of grunts that told how 
it hurt. 

“I guess that's enough, fellows," wheezed 
Andy, for he was himself so out of breath that 
he could hardly talk. 

The first thing they all did was to bend over, 
and laugh until their sides really ached. It 
doubtless looked mighty humorous to the three 
who had done all the chasing; but those other 
fellows would have a different story to tell, 
if asked. But then the old fable is always 
true, and what is “fun for the boys is death to 


THE PANIC THAT CAME TO PASS 49 


the frogs;” no fellow ever plays a practical 
joke that amuses him highly, but what some 
one has to pay the bill and do the crying. 

So Andy led his army back once more to 
the interior of the freight shed. 

“Let’s look to see if they managed to do the 
first bit of damage,” suggested the leader, 
and quickly adding, “why, looky here what 
they’ve gone and left behind ’em — a hatchet, 
an augur, a chisel, a screw driver — enough 
tools to stock a carpenter shop. Now, if we 
knew who owned these, we’d have it on him 
pretty strong. 

But when, in the morning, Andy started 
an investigation, thinking that the tools might 
serve to identify the three boys who had entered 
the railroad freight shed bent on damaging the 
crated aeroplane, he found that Percy Carberry 
with his customary shrewdness had looked out 
for this and covered his tracks deftly. 

The tools upon being exhibited were soon 
claimed by Mr. Mallet, the carpenter, who said 
that when he reached his shop that morning 
he found a window had been forced, and quite 
a quantity of his property carried away. And 
so it was rendered impossible to indentify the 
rascals by the abandoned tools. 

Of course, had Andy wished to carry the 


50 BIRD BOYS* AEROPLANE Y/ONDER 


thing further he might have drawn attention 
to the fact that Percy Carberry, Sandy Hollings- 
head, and another boy often seen in their com- 
pany were absent from their customary haunts 
that morning; and if interviewed at home 
would be found to have sundry patches of court 
plaster adorning their noses and foreheads 
which would indicate that there must have 
been an epidemic of falling out of bed on the 
preceding night. Bat of course Andy did not 
mean to pursue the matter any further, believ- 
ing that “all was well that ended well,” and 
that the boys had already been sufficiently 
punished. 

What he did do immediately after leaving 
the shed was to call up Frank on the phone at 
the drug store. Frank did not often over- 
sleep, but being up late on the night before, 
seemed to cause him to lie abed a little later 
on this morning. He happened to be eating 
his breakfast at the time the bell rang; and 
as the phone was in the diningroom of course 
he answered it. 

“Hello! this you, Frank? ” came in a voice 
he recognized as belonging to Andy. 

“Yes, what’s all this row abourt)?” answered 
Frank, humorously. 

“Coming down here soon; I’m at the drug- 


THE PANIC THAT CAME TO PASS 5f 


store dose to the station, you know?” the other 
went on to say. 

“ What’s the matter — anything happen?” 
demanded the boy at the other end of the wire as 
if realizing from Andy’s manner that there had 
something occurred that must be out of the 
common. 

“Sure. We had company, and the greatest 
old time you ever heard of, Frank. Tell you 
about it when you get here. We’re going to 
breakfast now, and will meet you at the freight 
shed later to see the stuff packed in the car. ” 

“Hold on. Was there any damage done to 
our machine?” demanded the other. 

“Never a scratch; but it was a close shave. 
So-long, Franks see you later!” and having 
accomplished his object, which was to excite 
his cousin’s curiosity to fever pitch, for it was 
seldom he had the chance to do such a thing as 
this, Andy abruptly severed connections and 
hurried home to get something to eat. 

Frank was there all right when Andy got 
back to the station; and doubtless he had man- 
aged to pick up some sort of an account of what 
had happened; for he seemed to be cross- 
questioning one of the freight handlers, even 
while examining the boxed and crated aero- 
plane. 


52 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


Of course Andy gave him the whole story; 
and as both Elephant and Larry had by this 
time shown up, the four of them laughed again 
and again, while each of the several witnesses 
of the panic related their version of the affair, 
adding such humorous touches as might occur 
to them. 

The boys agreed to let the matter drop, since 
Percy and his cronies must have been suffi- 
ciently punished. Besides, being boys, they 
were not inclined to be hard on other fellows; 
even though they felt more or less indignation 
at the mean way in which Percy Carberry 
always tried to even his scores. 

One thing sure, they meant to hang around 
that station until the precious aeroplane was 
not only securely placed in a car, but the train 
pulled out that was to start it on its long western 
journey to the far-away Arizona cattle ranch 
where Uncle Jethro waited to receive them with 
open arms. 

And there they did remain until the train 
pulled out and they had the last glimpse of 
the precious air wonder, safely stowed in its 
car and headed toward the Land of Promise. 

After that the boys were content to walk 
home, where Frank and Andy soon got busy 
again in their shop; for they had many things 


THE PANIC THAT CAME TO PASS 53 


in process of building, on which they could 
always spend a spare hour 5 while Larry and 
Elephant hung around, ready and willing to 
assist if only told how to do things. 

Of course much of the conversation con- 
cerned the new and strange sights that were 
likely to be the portion of the Bird boys while 
spending the coming weeks upon a real South- 
western cattle ranch. They brushed up their 
knowledge of things supposed to be associated 
with cowboy life; but which of course had 
been for the most part gleaned from books and 
the newspapers. 

“Ten days, and perhaps our aeroplane will be 
there,” Andy was saying that evening, as he 
and Frank locked up, preparatory to going 
home; and he had been yawning for the last 
hour, on account of having had so little sleep 
on the preceding night. “That ought to mean 
we must start from here by another w eek, don ’t 
you think, Frank?” 

“Yes, a week from tomorrow morning would 
be about the right time,” replied the other, as 
he turned the key in the lock and tried the 
door. 

Andy chuckled. 

“Mighty careful about that door, I see, 
Frank; don't mean to take any chances of 


54 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


somebody getting in our shop, like they did 
once before when we had that old lock on it. 
But I know just three fellows who are not think- 
ing of trying any caper like that tonight. If 
you mentioned it to them, like as not they'd 
shiver all over and look sick. Because they 
got the scare of their lives last night. I just 
reckon they won ’t feel like creeping in any old 
dark place for a long time after this. ” 

The two cousins walked along until they 
came to Frank's house when Andy prepared to 
stalk off alone. 

“ Goodnight, Frank,” he said, “and here’s 
hoping that we get as good a start as we gave 
the airship today. A week from tomorrow, 
you say? Well, in the morning — ” another 
big yawn — “we’ll have to get busy, and send 
Uncle Jethro a long message, telling him when 
he can look for us, a.nd to have the agent out 
there keep a watch for our freight. Wow! 
but I ’m that sleepy I can hardly see straight. 
No, can’t stop over with you, because I was 
away last night, you know, and mom might 
be worried. So-long, Frank! See you again 
after breakfast, when we'll get busy with that 
new drag brake you’re working on, and which 
ought to work like a charm.” 


THE PANIC THAT CAME TO PASS 55 


“Call me up on the wire when you get home, 
Andy,” said Frank, after him. 

“Hey! d’ye think somebody’s going to try 
and kidnap me on the road?” demanded the 
other. 

“No* but I’m afraid you may go to sleep 
on the way, and keep on walking everlastingly, ” 
called out Frank, laughingly, and. then closed 
the door. 


56 BIRD BOYS’ WONDER AEROPLANE 


CHAPTER V 

WHAT THEY FOUND AT WITHERSPOON 

“We’re almost there, Frank!” 

“Yes, the next station is Witherspoon, 
the brakesman said. Got ah your traps ready. 
Andy?” 

\ “Oh! I’ve had them gathered up this half 
hour and more. Wheel ain’t it hot down here, 
though; and won’t I be glad to get out of this 
stuffy sleeper?” 

The two cousins had made the long journey at 
a pretty rapid pace, and at the time these words 
passed between them, were nearing the end. 
They had for some time skirted deserts and 
mountains that looked very strange to their 
Northern eyes. And when occasionally they 
caught fugitive glimpses of distant herds of 
cattle grazing on some miles of grass lands 
bordering the course of a hidden stream, 
naturally their thoughts went out to what 
they expected to see when they had arrived at 
the cattle ranch of Andy’s uncle. 

“Uncle Jethro must be a man of some im- 
portance down this way,” Andy went on to 
say, “when they go so far as to even name 
the station after him. ” 


WHAT THEY FOUND 


57 


At that Frank chuckled. 

“Well,” he remarked, drily, “if it looks like 
some we’ve seen, that isn ’t paying your relative 
a very great honor; because they were the most 
terrible tumbledown places I ever did set eyes 
on. But let’s hope Witherspoon will turn out 
to be something different. ” 

“Frank, I do believe the train’s beginning to 
slacken up right now!” cried Andy, all of a 
tremble with eagerness. 

“You’re right it is and here comes our friend 
the brakeman to help us off with all our truck, ” 
observed the other Bird boy, who did not show 
his excitement as much, although no doubt he 
too was quivering with the anticipation of the 
coming introduction to Western ways. 

Presently the train came to a stop, and the 
boys having reached the platform of the sleeper 
stepped off. 

As they did so there was a loud whoop from 
a dozen lusty throats. Looking in the direction 
from whence these vociferous sounds pro- 
ceeded they saw a collection of rough and ready 
picturesque cowboys, just like those who had 
appeared in the moving picture plays which 
Frank and Andy had enjoyed from time to time 
in the little playhouse in Bloomsbury. 

They were on foot, but their horses could be 


58 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


seen hitched along a rail close by, and exhibiting 
more or less of spirit because of the hissing 
engine, to which they were evidently not 
accustomed. 

Frank had just shaken hands with the ac- 
comodating brakesman, and tipped the colored 
porter of the sleeper, when he discovered 
Andy caught in the arms of a tall man, whose 
snow-white mustache and goatee gave him a 
distinguished appearance. 

Of course this could be no other than Uncle 
Jethro. Frank knew he would like the ranchman 
from the start, and that nearly everybody must. 
While his word was law in that section, at the 
same time the owner of the ranch was a genial 
gentleman, whom most of his cowboy hands 
thought so much of, that they would be willing 
to go through fire and flood at any time to serve 
him. 

Frank at first sight thought Uncle Jethro 
looked like a Kentucky Colonel® and that 
impression never left him. 

“So, this is Frank Bird, is it?” exclaimed the 
cattleman, hurrying over with extended hand 
which closed on that of the boy with a vim that 
made him wince. “Well, it does my heart good 
to see you both. We’re going to try and give 
you the time of your lives down here. Yes, your 


WHAT THEY FOUND 


59 


freight is in the house yonder, and we’re pre- 
pared to haul it to the ranch right away. I 
must say I’m pleased to find you both such a 
hearty looking lot. And a spell out in this free 
air will do you a world of good. But won’t 
you come over and shake hands with my boys; 
they’re just wild to meet you. For ten days, 
now, all the talk around here has been of flying 
machines. Most of us have never seen such a 
thing; and yu’d laugh yourselves sick to hear 
the guesses that have been made about what 
they look like. Most of the boys are of the 
opinion it’s only a big gas balloon. Here you 
are, and now let me do the honors.” 

The train had already pulled out, so that 
they had the little Arizona station to themselves 
One by one the cow punchers stepped up, and 
were properly introduced to each of the Bird 
boys in turn; generally with some little side 
remarks that might apply to their appearance, 
or the name they went by. , 

In this way the newcomers felt that they 
already knew considerable about their new 
friends, even before they had met them five 
minutes. Cowboys as a rule are not a hard lot 
to get acquainted with; they are blunt and open 
and full of questions. 

It could be seen that the two boys from the 


60 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


Far East were objects of intense curiosity to 
every one of the bunch. They watched them 
closely, just as though some were secretly of 
the opinion that Frank and Andy might at any 
moment suddenly develop a pair of wings that 
they had up to then kept hidden about their 
persons, call out a hasty goodbye, and bob up 
in the air as easy as the ordinary cowpuncher 
would hurl himself on his pony. 

“Now, let’s see about getting your freight 
started, boys,” called out Uncle Jethro, after 
this ceremony had been completed, and the 
newcomers had been duly welcomed with hearty 
handshakes by the grinning punchers. “You 
see, we fetched a big wagon along, with four 
horses; and likely enough that will get the 
stuff out home by night. If it looks hard, I’ll 
send back another lot of horses to help pull. 
And your trunk can go along with you on the 
back of the carryall. The boys wanted to 
fetch mounts for you both, but I reckoned that 
you might not be wholly as much at home on 
the back of a pony as in your flying machine, 
so I drove in myself. ” 

Frank thought that was very kind and con- 
siderate of Uncle Jethro; who must have known 
that the wild spirits among the cowboys would 
be apt to make it a bit unpleasant for green- 


WHAT THEY FOUND 


6! 


horns who were unused to their harum-scarum 
ways when in the saddle. Wait until they had 
been there a week, and he believed that he and 
Andy might be able to hold their own fairly well ; 
for both of them had done more or less horse- 
back riding, such as is practiced on Eastern 
roads, and which must be pretty tame compared 
with the dash of these reckless riders of the 
range. 

The whole lot trooped after them when they 
accompanied the cattleman to the little freight 
house. Here their precious aeroplane was found, 
and so far as they were able to tell from a quick 
survey of the outside, not the slightest injury 
had been done during its long journey. This 
was doubtless due at least to the care the boys 
had shown in crating and boxing the various 
parts; and which experience had taught them 
just how to go about. 

Amid more or less excitement and shouting 
the big wagon was backed up to the door of 
the freight shed; and then, under the directions 
of Frank, the loading began. No lack of will- 
ing hands, when every one of those sturdy 
fellows seemed just wild for a chance to just 
touch the wonderful flying machine, of which 
they had heard so many stories, most of which 
they did not believe, of course; for it seemed 


62 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


like a yarn from the Arabian Nights or Baron 
Munchausen, this idea of mere boys going 
up in the air thousands of feet, in a shell of a 
machine, with a little buzzing motor attached to 
it; or flying hundreds of miles over the wild 
forests away down in South America, v r here 
they were said to have found the long-lost father 
of Frank. 

All the same, they handled the crates with 
more or less tenderness. Although no doubt 
most of them had already decided that it was 
pretty much of a fake, and that they would be a 
sold lot by another day, still they were as eager 
as a parcel of eight year old lads to see what was 
coming. Talk about the excitement that strikes 
an Eastern country town when the circus arrives, 
it could not bear any comparison with the 
feverish spirit that possessed those jostling 
cow punchers as they heaved and tugged and 
loaded up the wagon just as Frank wanted. 

When the last crate had been placed on top, 
the heavier engine being away under all the 
rest, Frank saw to it that stout ropes secured 
the whole. And watching just how the boy 
directed these things, Uncle Jethro nodded his 
head toward his foreman, Waldo Kline, and 
winked one eye, just as if to say, “He ’ll do!” 

Finally all seemed ready, and the horses 


WHAT THEY FOUND 


63 


were apparently anxious to start on the return 
journey; for quite a number of miles lay be- 
tween the station where cattle were shipped, 
and the ranch buildings proper. 

Uncle Jethro last of all cautioned the driver 
to take his time, no matter how long the trip 
seemed. Not for worlds would he have any 
upset occur, or a runaway take place. If any 
injury were done the precious flying machine 
at this stage of its long journey he would never 
forgive the one responsible for the trouble. 
They had waited so long to see the wonderful 
contraption really sail through the air that he 
would not answer for what the rest of the boys 
would do, should they find themselves disap- 
pointed. 

After that it might be set down for granted 
that the driver would exercise more than ordi- 
nary care in transporting the freight. If an 
accident should happen the chances were he 
would feel like mounting a horse immediately 
and putting for the railroad, to board a train, 
fearful for his life. 

Having strapped the trunk on behind the 
carryall in which Frank and Andy were already 
seated, the joyous bunch of punchers made a 
rush for their horses. The two Easteners 
watched eagerly to see whether the pictures 


64 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


did them full justice in mounting; and on the 
whole they were not in the least disappointed; 
for every fellow seemed to have his own odd 
way of flinging himself into the saddle; and the 
instant the pony felt his weight there would 
be an upheaval and some tall jumping about, 
until the rider found his seat, and thrust his toes 
into the stirrups, and from that instant he 
seemed to become a part of the animal itself. 

“ Great, isn’t it, Frank? I’ve pictured that 
lots of times, but never thought I ’d see it with 
my own eyes. And they seem to be a bully 
bunch of fellows, warm-hearted as the day is 
long; and I guess we’re going to like it down 
here, all right!” 

Frank thought just the same as Andy seemed 
to, even though he had not as yet expressed 
himself that way. Among the dozen cow 
punchers they would doubtless find a number 
who would become fast friends; others they 
might not happen to fancy as well, perhaps on 
account of some peculiarities, or it might be a 
retiring disposition on the part of the nomads. 
But first impressions count for a lot; and it 
must be confessed that both of the Bird boys 
were mighty well pleased with their hearty 
reception by the outfit connected with the 
Double X Ranch. 


WHAT THEY FOUND 


65 


“All ready? ” called out Mr. Witherspoon; 
and as no one said anything to the contary he 
waved his hand to the circling boys. 

Immediately a series of shrill “yip-yips” 
broke out, as the riders went tearing off at a 
furious pace, to wheel presently and come 
charging headlong down toward the carryall, 
waving their hats, and carrying on as though 
possessed. 

“ Don’t mind 'em, boys,” remarked Uncle 
Jethro, complacently. “ They've just got to 
work off some of the surplus energy that this 
free life seems to stow up in a man. You'll 
be doing the same before you're here a week, 
mark my words. But I have got as fine a 
bunch of boys as ever threw leg over a bucking 
broncho; and you'll say as much when you get 
to know the most of them. Not that they 
haven 't got their faults, but we overlook small 
things out in this big country, you know, where 
the sky seems to bend down and touch the 
earth all around you. Now, step lively along 
there, Dexter and Silas, you ornery mules, 
hit up a pace!” 


66 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


CHAPTER VI 

AT THE DOUBLE X RANCH 

The Bird Boys would not soon forget that 
invigorating ride. On all sides they saw a 
thousand things that excited their wonder; 
and which they did not hesitate to ask about. 
And Uncle Jethro was only too willing to ex- 
plain; he wanted these bright-faced boys who 
had come to visit him, to learn all about the 
things with which they would come in daily 
contact, and the sooner the better. 

From this time on there would be a complete 
change in the air around Frank and Andy. 
The talk of the cowboys was along the line of 
ranch life; and by degrees many of the phrases 
that went to describe such things entering into 
the daily life of these wild plains riders, would 
become familiar to the “tenderfeet.” 

They saw the cactus that grew along the bor- 
der of the desert; the tufts of what Uncle 
Jethro called “ buffalo grass,” possibly because 
the bison that formerly covered these same 
plains in countless tens of thousands used to 
feed upon it; watched the queer antics of a 
village of prairie dogs they passed on the way 
to the ranch; and heard the boys speak of a 


AT THE DOUBLE X RANCH 


67 


muddy hole as a “ buffalo wallow, ” though the 
chances were it had been half a century since 
such an animal had lain down to rid himself of 
the flies, by wallowing in the mud and water 
that came from a rainfall. 

Here were a few stray cattle which the rancher 
termed “ Mavericks ;” and called to the fore- 
man to mark down, so they could be rounded- 
up and branded on the morrow; there they 
overtook an Indian family on the move, with 
a calico horse harnessed to a couple of long 
drag-poles, upon which were piled all their 
worldly possessions, including the squaw her- 
self and a dusky papoose; and once in the dis- 
tance they saw a line of white-topped wagons 
that gave the boys a thrill, thinking of those old 
days when emigrants were in the habit of cross- 
ing the plains in such vehicles; until Uncle 
Jethro kindly explained that this was a freight- 
er’s caravan, the prairie schooners being loaded 
with supplies for the mines that were located 
away up in the mountains, where it was diffi- 
cult to get such material, the smelting being 
done on the ground, and only the pure copper 
shipped out to the market. 

It was altogether too short a ride, Andy 
loudly declared, when his uncle announced that 
the ranch buildings were in sight ahead. He 


68 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


had seen so many new and interesting sights 
that he thought he could never drink in enough 
of this air, heated though it might be. 

All the same, both lads looked eagerly ahead, 
anxious to know what the Double X Ranch 
would turn out to be like. 

They saw a cluster of white buildings, none 
of them over one story in height; and partly 
surrounded by green trees, that had doubtless 
influenced the owner to make his headquarters 
in this particular spot, where good water was to 
be had in abundance. 

Already the boys had started on a gallop for 
the house, whooping as usual. A genuine 
happy-go-lucky cow puncher is probably about 
the noisiest creature on the face of the earth; he 
never seems to be fully satisfied unless he is 
making some sort of a racket, either chasing 
cattle, cavorting on his pony amidst his com- 
rades, or shooting up a border town when on one 
of his “ pay-day” outings. 

Before they reached the buildings they had 
drawn close enough to the passing freight 
caravan for the boys to even hear the vicious 
crack of the teamster’s long blacksnake whips, 
and to hear a choice collection of words when 
some little accident happened to delay the 
creaking wagons a brief time. 


AT THE DOUBLE X RANCH 


69 


Uncle Jethro was an old bachelor. He had 
a very efficient housekeeper in a Mrs. Ogden, 
a middle-aged widow, whose husband had been 
some sort of cousin to the owner of the ranch, 
and connected with him slightly in the business, 
at the time he died. 

A beaming Celestial cook, who sailed under 
the name of Charley Woo, looked after the 
kitchen, and seemed to satisfy the demfands 
of the vigorous punchers. When he was out 
with the boys in charge of the “grub wagon,” 
during their round-ups, those left at home were 
well taken are of by the housekeeper herself. 

Everything was so fine that both Andy and 
Frank knew they were going to have the time 
of their lives; and would begrudge the days 
that slipped past. They meant to soak in all 
the information possible, as well as show these 
dashing riders that if they were greenhorns in 
all that was connected with cattle punching, 
at least they occupied a high standard when it 
came to bold exploits away up in the clouds. 

During the remainder of the day they went 
here and there, making fresh discoveries at every 
turn, and fairly saturating themselves with the 
multitude of things that were associated with 
this new life. 

One of the cowboys in particular had at- 


70 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


tracted the attention of Andy; and Frank also 
admitted having taken an immediate liking for 
the same fellow. He was a lively boy, full of 
vim and go, and yet with something winning 
about his ways. They called him “ Buckskin/’ 
and it was quite a long time before either of the 
newcomers learned that he had another name, 
Oliver Cromwell Jones. 

He seemed more eager to hear about the ex- 
ploits of the young aviators than any of the rest; 
though for that matter they were every one of 
them hanging around every minute they could 
spare from their duties, showing the newcomers 
their bunk-house, the big stables, the enclosure 
where the saddle band of horses was usually 
kept when not in use, and everything else they 
could think of, until both Andy and Frank 
felt that they were growing confused under so 
much attention. 

And what pleased Frank most of all was a 
rude building or shed which Uncle Jethro 
had had built to serve as a hangar for the biplane. 
Where he got his ideas from they did not know; 
but it must have been some magazine article; 
because the affair seemed to answer all require- 
ments; though of course it was a mere shed, 
and not intended to be locked up. 

But such a thing as injury coming to the 


AT THE DOUBLE X RANCH 


71 


precious aeroplane in this isolated place never 
once occurred to the boys. Surely there was 
no malicious Percy Carberry, and his shadow 
Sandy Hollingshead, away down here to want 
to render the biplane worthless for use; and 
every one of the punchers acted as though he 
believed the greatest treat of his whole life 
would arrive when he actually saw with his own 
eyes those daring young aviators mount up- 
ward toward the sky, until they seemed like a 
mere speck in the blue vault. 

There was one occupant of the ranch building 
whom the boys were pleased indeed to meet. 
This was a little fairy of five, named Becky, a 
blue-eyed child, daughter of a niece of Mr. 
Witherspoon, who had departed this life. She 
was a winsome little thing, and the cow punchers 
seemed to fairly worship her. 

Frank guessed that there was a little mystery 
attached to her, but he did not mean to seem 
curious, and ask any questions. In due time 
they learned from Buckskin that this niece had 
run away with a dashing Mexican named 
Jose Sandero; and after being cruelly treated 
by him, had fled once more across the border, 
arriving with her tiny baby at the Double X 
Ranch so worn out with fatigue that she had 
soon passed away. 


72 BIRD BOYS' AEROPLANE WONDER 


Her child had been left to Uncle Jethro; but 
not wanting to risk any chances, he had taken 
legal means to make himself the guardian of 
little Becky. And ever since she had been the 
sunlight of the whole ranch. The boys would 
stop in the midst of any wordy war, or wild 
singing, just to listen to the music of her sweet 
childish voice, that seemed capable of arousing 
all the best emotions in their natures. 

Nothing had ever been seen of the father, 
and it was taken for granted that he must either 
be dead, or never wanted to attempt to claim 
his child. And, Buckskin declared that if 
ever he did show up round that region, he stood 
the finest possible chance of pulling hemp that 
any man ever knew. 

That supper was one never to be forgotten. 
With the smiling Chinaman waiting on the 
noisy crowd, and appeasing every demand. 
Andy thought he had never enjoyed anything 
half so much in all his life. He had often 
camped out, and eaten the fare that is so greatly 
relished by every healthy lad with red blood 
in his veins, but there were so many things 
connected with this meal at the long table, 
where some ten ranch riders sat, and exchanged 
comments characteristic of their occupation, 
with everything so strange to the tenderfoot, 


AT THE DOUBLE X RANCH 


73 


that it made a deep impression on both the 
newcomers, never to be eradicated. 

Then the punchers trooped off to their bunk- 
house, to leave the travelers alone, for they 
felt that they needed considerable of a rest to 
make up for the fatigues of their long journey. 

The man who drove the double team con- 
nected with the wagon must have coaxed con- 
siderable speed out of them after all without 
meeting with any accident on the road, for the 
freight had shown up an hour before sunset, 
and ere the call came for supper it had all been 
safely stowed away in the rude hangar, where 
Frank and his cousin could work at it on the 
morrow. 

It was rather early when the boys sought 
their comfortable little room, where the white 
sheets invited them to sound slumber; and the 
soft night breeze fanned their cheeks, coming 
through the many windows that were always 
open. 

They sat at the window some time, talking 
in low tones about many of the strange things 
they had already seen, and speculating on how 
this dry air of the desert border would affect 
them, when they made their first ascension. 

Far away the mysterious lowing of herds 
came faintly to their ears; they could also 


74 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


catch the whinnying of horses in the stockade; 
and now and then the sound of music in the 
shape of a deftly manipulated accordion; or it 
might be the soft twanging of a Mexican man- 
dolin, while one of the boys warbled softly 
about some black-eyed senorita he had left 
behind him in the country of the dons. 

After a while the cousins decided that they 
ought to be in bed, and getting rested for the 
labors that awaited them in the morning. 
And once they threw themselves down, they 
were lost to the world in a few minutes. 

Of course they dreamed as every boy does 
pretty much all the time. And it was only 
natural that Andy’s mind should go back while 
he slept to other days, when he and Frank were 
engaged in the hottest of races with their rival, 
Percy Carberry, who was just as deeply inter- 
ested in all matters connected with aviation as 
they had been. 

Many a time had they found themselves 
compelled to sit up and guard their property 
when they had by some successful exploit 
aroused the worse elements in the jealous 
nature of this rival. And even now, though 
removed from the home town and Percy by 
several thousand miles, Andy had to dream 
that once again a dark cloud was hovering 


AT THE DOUBLE X RANCH 


75 


over their fortunes, and all caused by the 
hatred of this boy who for more than two years 
had been the one thorn in their flesh. 

So vivid had been his dream that Andy 
actually suddenly awoke with a low cry, and 
sat up in bed, trembling all over. 

“What’s the matter?” demanded Frank, 
also springing up. 

Before Andy could frame any sort of answer, 
owing to the confusion of ideas that seemed to 
be tumbling pell mell through his brain, both 
of them were thrilled to hear a voice from some- 
where outside shouting: 

“Wake up! help! help! fire! Whoop! get 
busy there, fellows!” 

As though governed by a couple of springs 
the cousins leaped from their comfortable 
bed, and rushing over to one of the windows 
that looked toward where the new shed cover- 
ing the precious aeroplane stood, they saw a 
sight that thrilled as well as alarmed them. 


76 BIRD BOYS' AEROPLANE WONDER 


CHAPTER VII 

A PRETTY CLOSE CALL 

“Oh! it's our hangar on fire!” gasped Andy. 

“Quick, get into something then, and out we 
go!” cried Frank, always the prompt one to act 
in an emergency. 

Andy hardly knew how he ever did manage 
to drag on a pair of trousers, and his shoes. 
His hands were shaking so he could hardly do 
what he aimed to accomplish; and all the while 
the shouts were increasing in violence, as well 
as that terrible light growing brighter. 

By the time he had managed to get the 
second shoe on, Frank was already outside; 
and having seen how easily the other jumped 
through the window to the ground, Andy 
hastened to follow his example. 

Already there was a group of the punchers 
at work; and the clear commanding tones of 
Mr. Witherspoon’s voice could be heard telling 
them just what to do. Fortunately it had 
always been a set principle of the rancher to 
prepare for war in time of peace, and he had 
a drilled fire department, with the hose and 
extinguisher handy. 

Every fellow knew just where he fitted in; 


A PRETTY CLOSE CALL 


77 


and perhaps it was this very system that pre- 
vented much damage being done. Instead of 
great confusion, with each eager fire-fighter 
getting in the way of the others, and nothing 
worth while being accomplished, the genius 
at the head of the combination saw that every 
man occupied the place that had been laid out for 
him. 

And when several chemical fire extinguishers 
started to get busy, it was a losing fight with 
that conflagration ; though possibly had it been 
given another quarter of an hour in which to 
get a firm grip on the contents of the shed, 
there must have been a far different story to 
tell. 

All this while the boys seemed to feel their 
hearts choking them with burning anxiety. 
What if after all their precious aeroplane should 
be injured after so successfully passing through 
the perils of that long journey! It was like 
a slap in the face, as Andy termed it. 

And it may be readily understood that, when 
the water with which that end of the long shed 
had thoroughly drenched the last spark of fire, 
so that it was safe to enter, they hurried in 
alongside Uncle Jethro, who was breathing 
all sorts of bitterness toward the one whose 
carelessness had brought about this accident, 


78 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 

both Frank and his cousin were in a feverish 
state of suspense. 

Eagerly they made the rounds escorted by 
the equally anxious Buckskin and the other 
range riders. It was almost pitiful to see how 
these usually loud voiced fellows now had not 
a whisper to spare; but just watched the faces 
of the young aviators, and waited to hear the 
verdict. 

And then, when finally the rounds had been 
made, and Frank gave it as his opinion that 
no damage worth mentioning had come about, 
it seemed as though the very roof of that shed 
would be fairly lifted from its supports by the 
volume of the lusty shouts that soared upwards 
from the leather-lined throats of Buckskin 
and his companions. 

Those who had been slightly burned in fight- 
ing the blaze went around showing the red 
marks with the pride that a warrior might in 
his scars of battle; and the forlorn chaps who 
had come off unscathed felt sorry because they 
had not seen to it that they secured their share 
of the hall marks of fame when they had the 
chance. 

Each cowboy had to line up and shake 
hands with Frank and Andy, while he offered 
congratulations on the lucky outcome of what 


A PRETTY CLOSE CALL 


79 


at one time had threatened to be a national 
misfortune. And they looked as happy over 
it as though some rich uncle had suddenly 
stepped off., leaving them a fortune ; or a big 
cattle ranch, which is the cowboy conception 
of great good luck. 

But Mr. Witherspoon was not so easily 
satisfied. That fire had not started of its own 
account. Either some one had been exceed- 
ingly careless, criminally so, or else there was 
a mystery back of its happening; and he meant 
to know' which of the two possibilities was the 
truth. 

So he started an investigation right on the 
spot, with the half-clad punchers brought up 
before him one after the other. It was easily 
proven who had been last at the shed; but this 
was one of the oldest and most reliable of the 
force, a man by the name of Steady Matt; and 
he declared that wdien he left the new building 
it was perfectly safe, nor had he seen a single 
match struck by a cowboy while there — this 
being one of the little fads of the rancher, who 
was next door to a crank concerning the careless 
use of matches about the place. 

“Now, the boys, they seem to reckon, Mr. 
Witherspoon, that it might a-been the work of 
an outside party; leastwise, that’s what they 


80 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


say,” remarked Buckskin, when the examina- 
tion seemed about to end, without any one being 
a bit the wiser. 

“Oh! is that so, Buckskin?” ejaculated the 
rancher, looking immediate^ interested. “Sup- 
pose you tell me, then, what they are talking 
about. We’ve had our little differences with 
Major Cloud and his Circle Ranch crowd; but 
I wouldn’t want to think any man who ever 
threw a leg over a pony’s back, or snapped a 
quirt as he rounded up cattle, could be guilty 
of such a nasty job as trying to burn a neigh- 
bor’s buildings.” 

“’Tain’t them, Mr. Witherspoon,” the 
puncher went on to say, earnestly, as he slapped 
his leather chaps with the stick he held; “ p ’raps 
Rustler Carlos ’d fill the bill more like, sir.” 

“Well, I wouldn’t put such a job past that 
sneak one minute,” declared the rancher, 
promptly, “and he certainly has plenty of 
cause to hate me, after the way we took 
that bunch of stolen long-horns away from 
him last spring, and gave him a close call 
before he could cross the border into Mexico. 
But he hasn’t been heard of around here since 
then ; so it must be only a wide guess you boys 
are making. But I’d a thousand times rather 
think that, than have a man in my employ be 


A PRETTY CLOSE CALL 


81 


careless, or ready to play a low-down trick 
like that.” 

“If w~e thought it was done a purpose, Mr. 
Witherspoon, and could find out the feller that 
done it, there ’d be some queer fruit a-growin’ 
on one of them telegraph poles along the Santa 
Fe railroad; ain’t it so, boys?” and the in- 
dignant Buckskin turned around upon the 
cluster of listening hustlers. 

The instantaneous shout of wild approval 
that greeted these words would have con- 
vinced any listener of the evident sincerity 
of the group. If there was one among them 
who had yielded to any sort of temptation, it 
was evident that he could not be easily per- 
suaded to make a second attempt. But after 
all, it seemed silly to think such a thing could 
be true; when the Bird boys did not have an 
enemy down here in this new country, where 
every one had been an utter stranger until 
now. 

“But let’s forget all about it,” said Frank, 
at this juncture. “Not a speck of harm has 
been done, and we’re as sure that no one here 
would dream of trying to injure our machine as 
we are that we draw breath.” 

“Bully for you, Frank!” shouted one of the 
punchers; and of course another wild cheer 


82 BIRD BOYS’ WONDER AEROPLANE 


had to allow some of the pent-up enthusiasm 
to break loose. 

Had anyone been passing along the trail that 
led to the mines, and which ran about a mile 
from the ranch buildings, and heard all this 
clamor at dead of night, he must have been 
greatly puzzled to account for the racket; and 
possibly think that the Double X outfit were 
making a night of it with good cheer. 

“ There ’s one thing sure,” said Uncle Jethro, 
positively, “after this we’re not going to let 
this flying machine of yours, boys, lie un- 
guarded. I leave it to my foreman, Waldo 
Kline, here, to see that it holds safe; and he’ll 
be accountable to me for it. ” 

“Wow! we’ll all camp around it, if so be he 
says the word!” cried Buckskin, with a look 
toward his chums, which brought out encourag- 
ing comments. 

“Come on back to the house, Frank and 
Andy,” remarked the rancher, “and you can 
just as well make up your minds that after this 
no piece of property was ever so jealously 
guarded as your machine will be. I’m sorry 
for the wretch that tried to do it any injury 
after this. He ’ll sure believe he ’s run up 
against the biggest hurricane ever, the way 
those boys will rustle him. ” 


A PRETTY CLOSE CALL 


83 


Arid Frank believed him. 

He went back deeply thankful that no harm 
had befallen the aeroplane before it made its 
maiden trip in those Arizona hot airs; and yet 
puzzled to account for the fire. 

“Do you really think it was an accident, 
Frank?” asked Andy, when they found them- 
selves once more alone in their little room. 

“Ask me something easy, won ’t you?” replied 
the other, as he prepared to crawl into bed 
again. “I wish I did knosv the truth, because 
I don ’t like this thing of suspecting any fellow, 
when he may be as innocent as you and me. 
But honest now, I can’t bring myself to believe 
that it was an accident.” 

“Well, there may be something in that story 
about the Mexican they call Rustler Carlos,” 
Andy went on to say. “Buckskin was telling 
me some things about his doings around this 
region some years back. He cut a pretty wide 
swathe, they say; and in his many ‘drives’ 
carried off hundreds of fat cattle across the 
border into Mexico, where it wasn’t safe for 
Americans to go, because they sort of hate 
Gringoes down there, you know.” 

“Yes, I understand,” Frank added, “and 
just as Uncle Jethro said, he was the first to 
really break up this fine and profitable rustler 


84 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


business of the cattle thieves. This Carlos 
must hate him with all the fury his breed can 
show. And if he ever did have nerve enough 
to run up this way again, I guess he’d be glad 
to try and do the Double X Ranch people a 
rough turn, if he saw the chance. But per- 
haps we’ll know more about this thing some 
time later.” 

“Yes,” Andy went on to say, a little vin- 
dictively, for he had been much worked up 
over the threatened destruction of the planes 
and woodwork of the aeroplane; “and if this 
Rustler Carlos should happen around again, 
I reckon it’ll be hardly worth mentioning what 
they won’t do to him. I never saw fellows 
madder than these boys seem to be right now. 
And Frank, I kind of think they’ve taken a 
great liking to you, on so short an acquaintance.” 

“Better say yourself, Andy,” retorted the 
other immediately; “because everybody nearly 
does, that meets you. Now roll over, and quit 
thinking about the thing. It’s all right, and 
no damage done, so go to sleep like a good 
fellow. You won ’t get a single word out of me, 
I warn you.” 

And Andy knowing that his cousin meant it 
did proceed to chase all thoughts of the recent 
excitement from his mind, so that he might 


A PRETTY CLOSE CALL 


85 


settle down again into a sound sleep, for it 
seemed that midnight had no more than passed, 
so that a long period still remained before the 
coming of dawn awoke them. 

There was no further alarm. 

Doubtless that cordon of slumbering cowboys 
lying around the new shed formed so close a 
protection, that even a wandering rattlesnake 
could hardly have passed the line without being 
challenged. 

And when Frank opened his eyes again, the 
light of day was shining in through the two win- 
dows facing the east; so that, hearing sounds 
that told of breakfast being made ready, he gave 
Andy a kick, telling him to bestir himself, if he 
hoped to start the day rightly by appearing 
at early breakfast with the rest of the Double 
X outfit. 


88 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


CHAPTER VIII 

THE BRONCHO BUSTER MEETS HIS MATCH 

Such a busy day as they put iu. 

It was hard for the foreman to influence the 
cow-punchers to look after their customary 
avocations, for they wanted to be hanging 
around that hangar all the time, watching 
Frank and Andy assemble the various queer 
parts of the delicate contraption that, when 
completed would be called a biplane. 

The idea that any one would dare trust him- 
self in such a little contrivance, and soar like 
the white-headed eagle away up above the 
clouds, staggered the belief of these fellows; 
all of w T hom wanted to be “ shown” before 
they would be willing to admit that such a 
wonderful thing could ever come to pass. 

They looked on the Bird boys with almost 
reverence. Such pluck and daring outdis- 
tanced their own reckless horseback plunging 
as far as the sun outshines the yellow moon. 

Some of them tried their very best to make 
themselves useful, and even pleaded with the 
boys to think up some way in which they could 
“run and fetch,” so that the foreman would 
excuse them from going out on the range after 


BRONCHO BUSTER MEETS MATCH 87 


stray mavericks, or rounding up bunches of 
cattle that may have strayed toward the dan- 
gerous coulies of the mountains, where all sorts 
of danger would await them. 

But as they needed no assistance whatever, 
Frank had to shake his head, even to the per- 
sistent Buckskin, for he knew that if he favored 
one it would create bad feeling among the rest 
and this was something to be avoided, so early 
in their acquaintance with these warm-hearted 
but impulsive cattle punchers. 

When noon came the aeroplane was taking 
shape, and beginning to look like something. A 
little help was needed when it came to installing 
the motive power; but there was plenty to be 
had; in a pinch even the grinning Charley Woo 
would have been willing to lend a hand; al- 
though he had privately announced it as his 
opinion that if this wonderful affair, that looked 
so much like the big box-kites flown in his native 
country, could sail away above the clouds, they 
would never set eyes on the two bold young 
navigators again; and he also said that Mr. 
Witherspoon ought to keep control of the flying 
machine by means of a rope, so that he could 
pull it down when he thought best. 

It was really wonderful how quickly all the 
boys got through with their jobs on this par- 


88 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


ticular day. Where under ordinary conditions 
they would not have shown up at the ranch 
house until evening, they now came galloping 
in like mad by two o’clock, and before three 
had arrived not a single puncher was out on the 
range. 

Mr. Witherspoon smiled and nodded his head 
good-naturedly when he noticed this significant 
fact. 

“ Already your coming has borne fruit, you 
see,” he remarked to Frank; “and if it keeps 
up we’re going to have the greatest lot of 
hustlers here at the Double X Ranch you ever 
heard tell of. They can do things like lightning 
these days. And look at the way they hang 
around, just devouring both of you boys with 
stares. I guess you’ve got them locoed for a 
fact,” and when Frank, who wanted to know 
what everything meant, stopped him right there 
to ask for an explanation, the obliging rancher 
told how there was a certain weed known as the 
loco, which, when cattle indulged in it, made 
them crazy for a time, so that they were apt to 
rush into streams and be drowned, or pitch pell 
mell over precipices in their blindness and 
excitement. 

About four o’clock Frank announced that 
ever^diiing was ready for the first ascent and the 


BRONCHO BUSTER MEETS MATCH 89 


feverish punchers could hardly contain theim 
selves. It needed only a word to get them to 
do anything that was required; for the time 
being they were ready to act as slaves, if by so 
doing they could hasten developments. 

There was a splendid level stretch upon which 
the first run could be made; indeed, that was 
one beauty of aeroplaning on the plains, where 
difficulties would not be met with in landing, or 
making an ascent. 

Frank gave the signal, and willing hands 
assisted in starting the strange affair with its 
box-like wings. Charley Woo hid behind a 
pile of crate material as though really fearing 
that the spirits of the air might be offended 
by this bold invasion, and start to visit their 
vengeance on the whole lot who had assisted 
in the work. 

But the cowboys jumped for their horses, 
and mounting like a flash, started to gallop 
after the young aviators, fully expecting that 
they would have the mournful office of gathering 
up their remains, and transporting them back 
to the ranch house. 

Judge of their astonishment and wild delight 
when they saw the aeroplane leave the earth, 
take a turn upward when the forward plane 
was elevated, and start in the direction of the 


90 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


few fleecy, floating white clouds that hovered 
overhead. 

How they yelled and shrieked and pranced 
about as though they had really and truly lost 
their heads. And then, gathering in a bunch 
they watched the wonderful evolutions which 
those skilful air pilots put their willing steed 
through, as thoroughly entranced as though 
they had been put under the magic power of a 
wizard. 

Frank was not taking unnecessary chances. 
He wanted to know the conditions of this new 
country before attempting any of the more 
difficult maneuvres which he and Andy were 
accustomed to carrying out in their home circles, 
where they understood the wind and its pecu- 
liarities to a dot. 

But the most simple trick was greeted with 
hoarse shouts by that cluster of eager watchers 
below. And when the young aviators began 
to bore up and up in circle until they were fully 
six thousand feet high, the amazed and delighted 
spectators almost broke their necks staring 
after them, afraid lest they miss a part of the 
spectacle if they so much as turned away for a 
single instant. 

Then again they came circling down in great 
loops, while the little gathering near the ranch 


BRONCHO BUSTER MEETS MATCH 9 1 


house stood and gaped and wondered if they 
were really awake, or passing through a vivid 
dream of enchantment. 

The conditions being favorable, Frank gave 
his companion due warning as to what he was 
about to do, and then started to volplane 
downward. Immediately cries of horror broke 
out from those intrepid range riders, who nat- 
urally believed something must have broken 
aboard the aeroplane, and that the Bird Boys 
were now being hurled to earth, from which 
they would later on be picked up lifeless. 

When they saw the flying machine suddenly 
recover a level position, and with the merry hum 
of the motor start again to spin along, about two 
hundred feet above their heads, the punchers 
fell into each others’ arms, as though too weak 
to stand up any longer. 

Shortly afterwards Frank brought his aerial 
steed to a landing just at the very point where 
he had taken his departure half an hour before; 
and so lightly did the heavier-than-air machine 
settle that it seemed as though an egg could 
hardly have been broken by the impact, had it 
come between. 

They were immediately overwhelmed with 
warm congratulations because of the marvelous 
work they had done while aloft. It had been 


92 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


only the common, every-day experience of 
Frank and Andy; but in the eyes of these 
untamed Western spirits was wonderful beyond 
compare. 

“ Here’s Buckskin been boasting that if you 
boys could go up, he guessed he could too. 
Take him for a little airing, Frank. Let him 
make good, or shut up!” one of the cowboys 
exclaimed. 

“ Would you like to try a little spin, Buckskin; 
Andy here will make way for you if you say 
the word?” Frank asked. 

Now, the aforesaid Buckskin would have 
instantly declined but they had him in a hole, 
where he must take water, or else put on a bold 
front. And as a cowboy invariably hates to 
back down, once he has made his boast, he tried 
to look quite indifferent as he replied: 

“Sure I’d like to take a little turn of a dozen 
miles or two with you, Frank, if you’ll ask me. 
I ain’t had no experience in ridin’ one of them 
cantankerous mounts; but they can’t find a 
broncho able to throw me; and who’s afraid, 
anyhow? Tell me what to do, and show me how 
to do it, and I’m there all to the good, and wool 
a yard wide.” 

So Andy climbed down, and the cowboy, 
sheepskin chaps and all, took his place. He 


BRONCHO BUSTER MEETS MATCH 93 


made oat to be utterly at Ins ease; and it was 
only Frank who knew from personal contact 
just how Bucksin was trembling all the while. 

“All you have to do is to sit perfectly still; 
and don’t offer to do anything to help me. If 
I want any assistance I’ll sing out for it,” was 
the way the pilot of the biplane laid down the 
law; and Buckskin promised faithfully that he 
would adhere to the rules of the game to the 
letter. 

The start was made just as perfectly as before, 
and then Frank began to perform a number of 
simple evolutions before making a try for alti- 
tude. 

The dazed cowboy may have had a smile on 
his face all the while, but it was of the kind 
that won’t come off, virtually frozen there. 
He clutched the seat with rigid fingers, and 
stared out straight to where in the distance he 
could see the summit of Mount Baker, said 
to be seven thousand feet high, but which he 
believed was far below his lofty eyrie. 

Once, when he did catch faint yells from the 
crowd so far below him, Buckskin mustered up 
assurance enough to take off his hat, and 
wave it several times; but never once would 
he look straight down toward where the others 
were cheering him to the echo. 


94 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


When finally, after a whole lot of turning, 
until his senses fairly reeled, he heard Frank 
say that they were nearly through, the scared 
cowboy regained courage enough to send a 
sickly grin down at his comrades. Of course 
Frank would not think of volplaning with a 
greenhorn aboard, as the chances were, he 
would take fright and either leap out under 
the impression that they were bound to have a 
smash-up anyhow, or else make some frantic 
move that would endanger the very lives of 
both occupants of the biplane. 

And so they landed as neatly as any pilot 
of an air craft could possibly do. The relieved 
Buckskin almost dazed, managed to drop from 
his perch, his hands to be warmly shaken by his 
chums, while they assured him that he had done 
the whole outfit proud by his recent gallant act. 

But it might have been noticed that Buck- 
skin never again ventured to accompany either 
one of the Bird boys aloft. He vowed that it 
was the finest experience he had ever known, 
and one that he would not have missed for a 
fortune; but all the same, he knew when he 
had had enough; and the other fellows could 
try their hands at copying the old eagle, if 
they wished; the land was good enough for him, 
all right. 


BRONCHO BUSTER MEETS MATCH 95 


After the business of the day had been com- 
pleted the aeroplane was once more success- 
fully stowed away in its handy hangar, which 
was amply large enough to accommodate it even 
when the planes were extended. 

It was just at this time Mr. Witherspoon 
beckoned Frank and Andy to cross over to 
where he was standing, having come out of the 
house. 

“ Please give me a few minutes of your time, 
boys,” he said gravely, “ something has hap- 
pened since you went up that seems to possibly 
throw a light on what happened last night,” 
and a minute later, as the three sat down in his 
little office or den, the genial rancher went on 
to remark, “tell me, was the name of that 
evil genius of yours, who tried all he could to 
injure you two, Percy Carberry, or something 
like that?” 


96 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


CHAPTER IX 

FIGURING IT ALL OUT 

“What’s that you say, Uncle Jethro?” ex- 
claimed Andy, his face wreathed in an expres- 
sion of sheer astonishment; for it gave him a 
tremendous shock to hear that nightmare of a 
name, Percy, mentioned away out here in Ari- 
zona. 

“I’m sure,” the rancher went on, “you said 
something to me about a scamp who was forever 
trying to do you both an ill turn up around home; 
and unless I’m mistaken, you also told me he 
was the only son of a wealthy but foolish widow, 
who supplied him with all the money he asked 
for. The first name was Percy, that I’d swear; 
and the last one began with the letters C-a-r, 
now didn’t it, boys?” 

“Carberry, that’s it, uncle,” burst out Andy. 

“But what makes you ask that, sir?” de- 
manded Frank, looking curiously at what 
seemed to be a scrap of paper in the fingers of 
the gentleman. 

“This is what made me mention it; it is 
apparently a small part of a letter that some 
one at this place must have received not a great 
while back, and which he thought best to de- 


FIGURING IT ALL OUT 


97 


stroy; but one of the fragments lodged in a 
bush; and when my foreman chanced to notice 
it, and idly picked it up, he was interested in the 
few words he could make out, so he brought it 
to me. Here, take a look for yourselves, boys, 
and tell me what you think. ” 

On the piece of paper with the ragged edges 
there could only be made out some dozen or 
two words; a portion of these being incomplete, 
though easily guessed. 

These ran irregularly, and might be set down 
in something like the following order: “ Fifty 
dolla — good job of it — anyway you like — burn 
it to cinde — hear how it — Id friend, Percy 
Car ” 

Andy nearly had a fit when he read this ; 
Frank, on his part, felt the blood boil within him, 
though better able to conceal the state of his 
feelings, or rather control his temper, than his 
impulsive cousin. 

“Why, just think of that, would you?” ex- 
claimed Andy, “not satisfied with doing every- 
thing in his power to injure the Bird Boys 
while they were up there, this contemptible 
ingrate actually has the nerve to write to some 
fellow who, he happened to know, was working 
on or near this ranch, and sent him fifty dollars, 
which was to pay him for doing something 


98 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


to make all our journey down here useless — he 
even put it in his head to burn our aeroplane, 
and all that! Oh! he is certainly the meanest 
fellow that ever came down the pike. I al- 
most wish we’d left him up there on the summit 
of Old Thunder-Top, Frank, to get what he 
deserved. ” 

“Oh! 1 wouldn’t say that, Andy,” remarked 
his cousin, “it’s a rough deal, I know, but when 
we could save those fellows it was our duty 
to do it, no matter whether they were of any 
use in the world or not. You never can tell how 
things are going to turn out. ” 

“You nearly always can when Percy Car- 
berry has got to do with it, ” grumbled Andy. 

“Now, suppose you enlighten me as to what 
all this talk is about,” demanded the rancher. 
“Am I to understand that you once saved the 
very life of this boy, who is right now doing 
his level best to play you a mean trick?” 

And so between them the boys had to relate 
the story, which has been given in an earlier 
volume of this series, how they started in a 
desperate race with Andy for the crown of the 
rocky height not many miles away from Blooms- 
bury, away up in New York State; and a storm 
of wind coming up, the aeroplane of Andy was 
wrecked, so that he might have even lost his 


FIGURING IT ALL OUT 


99 


life, only that the Bird Boys managed to hold 
on to him; and afterwards get the two boys, 
one at a time, safely to the ground. 

“Of all the cases of base ingratitude, that 
beats everything, ” declared the indignant ranch- 
er; and he forthwith set out to call every 
puncher and employee on the place around 
him; after which he told the story and while 
they listened in breathless wonder he went 
on to say, angrily: 

“If there chances to be any one within the 
sound of my voice who received that letter, 
which I can hardly believe, I want to give him 
fair warning right now, that if the slightest 
harm comes to either of these brave boys while 
they are visiting at Double X Ranch, or if 
any further attempt is made to injure their 
airship, the punchers of this outfit have my 
hearty consent to carry out their own sweet 
will; yes, and by thunder! under certain con- 
ditions, I'd be willing to help pull on the rope!” 

A salvo of cheers interrupted his words. 
Apparently they had found an echo in every 
heart. But then Frank knew very well that 
if the guilty one were present, it would be only 
good policy on his part to shout just as loud 
as the rest, for fear lest suspicion be directed 
in his quarter. 


100 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


A short time later he saw Buckskin beckoning 
to him. Several of the other boys seemed to be 
clustered around him, as though they had been 
comparing notes. 

“You see, Frank, ” began Buckskin, when 
the other joined the group, “none of us boys 
feel quite right on ’count of the way Mr. Wither- 
spoon said that same. It kinder made us feel 
oneasy like. We kept a-lookin’ at each other, 
just like we was a wonderin’ whether it 
could be this one, or that other night 
wrangler. Why, all of us feel meaner nor a 
mule skinner about the same. And we ’ ve 
got together in a bunch to talk it over, so’s 
to larn who it was got a letter from the East 
lately; and we struck pay dirt right away.” 

“I’m glad of that,” said Frank, “though I 
hope it isn’t going to make trouble for any 
fellow on the pay roll of Double X Ranch.” 

Buckskin grinned. 

“That’s where he played it fine,” he said. 
“Member the slim chap you met yesterday 
when you landed, and who went by the name 
of Parsons? Well, he gave notice as he ’d been 
called back home, and had to quit here last 
night; so off he goes late in the afternoon, bag 
and baggage. None of us seemed to cotton to 
him much, though as a puncher he knew his 


FIGURING IT ALL OUT 


101 


business all right, and was fair spoken enough. 
But there always seemed to be something 
slick about him that stood us off. Now, 
several of us, on comparing notes, chances to 
remember that the Parson he had a letter from 
East somewhere only a few days back. Looky 
here, Frank, did you ever know anybody up in 
your town by the name of Edmondson; be- 
cause that was his real name, Collins Edmond- 
son it was, though we always called him Parson 
because he was so solemn like. ” 

Frank looked at his cousin, who was also of 
the group. 

“That is certainly the name of his uncle 
over in Rahway, ” declared Andy, “yes, and I 
remember hearing that name Collins before. 
I guess you Ve struck pay dirt this time, Buck- 
skin. And I ’m glad, for one, that now we know 
no man on this ranch would be guilty of such 
a mean game as setting our machine on fire.” 

Buckskin was immensely pleased with the 
remarkable results of his figuring, and detec- 
tive work. He hastened over to tell Mr. 
Witherspoon all about it; and soon afterward 
the rancher was seen to wring his hand until he 
undoubtedly made the tears come in to the 
stunted cow-puncher’s eyes. 

Great was the indignation among the rest 


102 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


of the boys when they learned what appeared 
to be the probable truth. Some of them were 
making hurriedly for their horses, muttering 
under their breath; and Mr. Witherspoon had to 
do some quick hustling in order to cut the 
threatening mutiny off. 

“Let the snake go, boys/’ he said. “He 
didn ’t carry out his contemptible scheme, after 
all, thanks to your promptness and bravery. 
I give you permission that if ever he shows 
his head around these diggings again, which 
isn’t likely, you can treat him to a nice warm 
coat, even if you have to borrow my tar kettle, 
and steal one of my best down pillows. That 
goes, boys; so just turn back now.” 

Which the impulsive ones did, knowing that 
the rancher was a man of his word, and evi- 
dently did not want the affair carried any fur- 
ther. But doubtless they would manage to get 
word to the Parson, if so be he had found em- 
ployment anywhere in the country, that unless 
he felt cold, and wanted a splendid down coat 
applied, regardless of cost, he would be wise to 
keep away from Double X Ranch. 

Andy begged that scrap of paper from his 
uncle. He declared he meant to keep it care- 
fully and compare the writing with some of 
Percy Carberry’s later on; and if this convicted 


FIGURING IT ALL OUT 


103 


him, he would throw the matter up to him right 
on the school campus in the presence of a score 
of the higher scholars, and spread his proofs 
before them, so that they could let the cur 
know what they thought of his mean actions. 

Andy could be a good hater when he had 
occasion for it; he always declared that he had 
a strain of good old Scotch blood in him that 
rose to the surface every now and then. 

“ Seems to me that lets Rustler Carlos out 
of it,” remarked Buckskin, turning to some 
of the others with a wide grin, a little later, 
when he came back feeling tenderly of his 
digits, that had a pinched look, where they had 
lain in the tremendous grip of the rancher. 

“Well,” said another puncher, an old fellow 
called “Shorty,” though he was six feet in 
height, “he’d be guilty of anything just as bad, 
if so be he happened around; and for one I’m 
a-goin’ to keep my eyes skinned for signs of 
him. Some say he crossed the line again below 
here fifty miles, and made a swoop through the 
Underwood section; but that report has been 
denied, and none of us know what to believe. 
So it stands to reason we ought to keep on guard, 
and remember that Carlos, he don’t hold our 
crowd in high esteem.” 

The boys felt in splendid spirits as night 


104 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


came on again. Apparently, now, all clouds 
had rolled by, and they ought to have clear sail- 
ing after this. There were dozens of other 
thrills they were holding back in store for future 
exhibitions; for the Bird Boys had already 
learned that secret of exhibitors to always 
keep the best in reserve. 

On special invitation from the boys they went 
over to the bunk house that night and spent 
the time with them, listening to stories of 
thrilling interest connected with the wild life 
of the desert trails, and the valleys among the 
mountains in that strip of Arizona, most singu- 
lar of all the States in the Union in its many 
sharp contrasts with regard to the rock strata 
and mineral formations. 

In return, Frank and Andy told in a modest 
way something of the many exploits in which 
they had been concerned as air voyagers. 
Most of all, the punchers wanted to hear about 
how they had gone down to South America, 
and found Frank’s missing father a prisoner 
in a cliff-enclosed valley, into which he had 
fallen at the time his runaway balloon drifted 
far to the south from the Panama Peninsula, 
when he was conducting a series of experiments, 
and explorations in the interest of the great 


FIGURING IT ALL OUT 


105 


Northern college with which his name had long 
been connected as a scientist. 

Andy was not so backward as his cousin 
about telling of what wonderful things they had 
seen, and how close to death they had been on 
numerous occasions; he even took advantage of 
the opportunity to describe how often Frank’s 
splendid nerve had been the only thing that had 
kept them from instant destruction; and al- 
though the other tried to make light of the facts, 
those hardy cow-punchers realized that in this 
slender stripling, who was so modest, and yet so 
self-possessed, they saw as true a hero as ever 
had his name recorded in the annals of history. 


106 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


CHAPTER X 

LEARNING THE ROPES ON A RANCH 

The days began to just glide away, and 
every one saw Frank and Andy finding new 
sources of keen enjoyment. 

They seldom lost a day for a while but that 
they went up for a short time, at least, in the 
aeroplane that was the marvel and admiration 
of the whole ranch. Those who worked on 
other cattle ranges were no longer startled when 
they saw a strange object not unlike a mon- 
strous bird come spinning overhead, and disap- 
pearing in the distance. Though they never 
failed to stop their work, no matter what that 
might be, and gape upwards, as long as the 
aeroplane remained in sight, still, they no 
longer fired at it, as happened at first. 

The boys had been warned by Uncle Jethro 
in the beginning that in making their flights 
miles away from home they would be wise to 
keep a pretty considerable distan ce aloft. There 
was never any telling what cowboys would do; 
and they were so apt to empty their guns at 
what they fancied must be some queer bird 
belonging to the supposed to be extinct class. 
At any rate, the warning was heeded, and on 


LEARNING THE ROPES 


107 


numerous occasions Frank and Andy believed 
that they profited from it. Indeed, it seemed 
to be the usual thing, whenever they passed 
over a cowboy in some strange section of the 
country, for him to whip out his gun and empty 
it; after which he would sometimes dodge, and 
try to conceal himself under a tree, or a clump 
of sage brush, or it might be a sentinel cactus 
ten feet high, growing on the border of the 
desert. 

But by degrees the news was circulating 
around that this was one of the new fangled 
aeroplanes, and the shooting began to grow less 
frequent, though the young aviators did not 
take more chances than they could help. 

Frequently, now, there would be company 
at the ranch and bunk house. In fact, these 
days Double X Ranch was fast becoming the 
Mecca for the entire neighborhood. Whenever 
a party of punchers got a holiday, instead of 
going off to town to indulge in a booze, they 
would start over to see the “ wonder of the air, ” 
and hope that the young pilots of the upper 
currents would perform for them. 

This got to be such a nuisance that finally 
Frank had to announce that they were only 
going up on certain days, when the exhibition 
would be free. And at such times there was 


108 BIRD BOYS* AEROPLANE WONDER 


sure to be quite a crowd present, all wild to see 
how this queer steed that flew through the air 
at the rate of from forty to eighty miles an hour, 
or even a full hundred on occasion, was managed. 

Meanwhile the two boys who had been singu- 
larly fortunate, in that they did not meet with 
a single serious accident. Outside of the intense 
heat they had little of a disagreeable nature 
to contend with in this Arizona climate, where 
winds did not often visit the lowlands in great 
force, and a dead calm usually prevailed. And 
as soon as they were aloft, they found the at- 
mosphere decidedly cool, even cold, since they 
were quickly free from the earth’s radiation. 

Of course, they had scoured the immediate 
country, and even ventured a short way out 
over the desert, dropping low enough to observe 
the strange formation of the billows of sand that 
reminded them of the sea, note the peculiarities 
that marked the tall cactus plants* and make 
up their minds that there could be a great 
many more pleasant things happen to them than 
getting lost on this burning stretch, with little 
or no water to quench their raging thirst. 

After the first glimpse of that waste stretch, 
the boys always made sure to carry a big bottle 
of water along with them when starting out. 
And Uncle Jethro declared that it was a wise 


LEARNING THE ROPES 


109 


precaution, as they could never tell when such 
a thing might prove to be a life preserver, if not 
for themselves, then possibly in the case of 
another who had unfortunately lost himself on 
the desert, and whose plight they might dis- 
cover from aloft. 

But while they scoured the level in this 
fashion, the boys were cautious about trying 
to fly over the rugged elevations to the north, 
where the mines were being operated, to which 
the trains of wagons containing supplies headed 
so frequently. 

They found just as they expected, that the 
winds were apt to be contrary in this region, and 
that it was more or less dangerous to attempt 
to fly where at any minute a furious gust would 
suddenly strike the aeroplane on the right 
quarter* which w r as hardly guarded against, 
when a second rush of air would swoop down 
from still another angle, threatening to over- 
turn the sprawling flier with its violence. 

One visit in this direction was enough for 
them, and on this occasion they saw the mouth 
of one of the mines, with a curious group stand- 
ing as usual gazing upward in open-mouthed 
wonder. 

Those mountains presented a grim aspect 
that impressed both the boys exceedingly, and 


110 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


they would never forget the sight. Andy had 
brought a new kodak, which his father had pur- 
chased in order that they might carry back 
something to show the folks at home. It was 
small in size, but with an expensive lens; and 
capable of producing very fine pictures; so 
that they hoped to have a display worth looking 
at by the time these were all developed and 
prints made later on. 

Nothing that was interesting escaped Andy, 
and he had developed quite a liking for his 
new occupation, being constantly on the look- 
out for scenes that he thought would make 
good prints. 

But it must not be supposed that all this 
time the Bird Boys were so much occupied 
with scouring the regions of the upper air for 
fifty or a hundred miles in every direction, that 
they neglected to take advantage of the op- 
portunities presented to observe what life on a 
great cattle ranch was like, for this was not so. 

As time passed they limited their flights 
more and more, having discovered other sources 
of amusement that held their interest; because 
by this time flying no longer possessed the 
novelty for them that it had in the beginning; 
and once they had exhausted the new sights of 
the region, they were not so anxious to go up as 


LEARNING THE ROPES 


III 


they were to mount ponies, and see something of 
life with the cow punchers. 

By degrees they were learning a great many 
things that they had never dreamed would 
ever fall to their lot. Being young, and quick 
to pick up new “ stunts, ” both of them gave 
promise of soon making average riders, at 
least, though they might not hope to equal 
some of the punchers who were more reckless 
by nature, and handled their mounts as though 
a cayuse were a machine, governed by their 
sole whim. 

Both Frank and Andy had their own ponies, 
and could dash like mad over the level, plying 
both voice and quirtin the endeavor to come 
in ahead; for cowboys spend much of their 
time in this sort of racing. 

They had adopted something of the dress of 
the others, and even wore the customary 
“chaps” made of leather and handsomely 
decorated, and to which they soon became 
accustomed in spite of the first awkward feeling. 

And so, daily they were seeing more and more 
of life on the range. They visited the prairie 
dog village and shot rattlers that were dozing 
outside the holes in which they lived at peace 
with the queer little animals that amused 


112 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


Andy so, and which he stalked on the sly, so as 
to take home some pictures of them. 

They learned to throw a rope with a fair 
degree of skill, although this takes long practice, 
if one wishes to become an expert. Neither 
of them ever actually threw a cow, though 
they believed they would be able to do so in 
time, if they kept this thing up long enough. 

They did like to watch the regular punchers 
do the trick andget the rope around the snubbing 
post like lightning every time. Both Frank 
and Andy could hobble a broncho equal to the 
next one; and on one occasion had spent a night 
on the range “wrangling” horses, which meant 
that they kept company with the guard whose 
duty was to watch the precious saddle band, 
and prevent them from straying, which catas- 
trophe would be apt to leave the party without 
mounts for their morrow’s work; and this 
really the worst thing that could happen to cow- 
boys, who seldom walk if they can help it. 

Later on there was to be the regular fall 
round-up, and the boys expected to be able to 
accompany the outfit, and see the youngsters 
branded after the most approved fashion, 
with Andy capturing numerous pictures that 
would show just how the entire operation were 
carried out. 


LEARNING THE ROPES 


113 


One evening while the two boys were sitting 
with Mr. Witherspoon on the big verandah 
which was kept screened to prevent an onslaught 
from insect pests, the genial rancher surprised 
Frank and Andy by casually remarking: 

“1 rather think, now, that we’ll have a 
decent day for our little expedition tomorrow; 
and that the heat will be somewhat less pro- 
nounced than usual. ” 

Andy looked at his cousin. Uncle Jethro 
had already sprung several little surprises on 
them and seemed to enjoy it immensely so that 
they immediately scented something new. 

“What sort of trip is that, Uncle?” asked 
Andy, seeing that the rancher was waiting 
to be questioned. 

He pretended to be surprised, and raised his 
eyebrows as he remarked: 

“Oh! is it possible that I forgot to mention 
to you that I’ve arranged to take you on a 
little shooting trip tomorrow, just to break the 
monotony of your existence here, and perhaps 
give you a chance to carry home a memento 
of life down in Arizona, that every time you 
scrape your feet upon it, will call up a few of the 
things that have happened here. ” 

“Please go on, and tell us more about it, 
Uncle; do we get a chance to snap off a picture 


1 14 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


of a bunch of antelopes this time; that wolf 
scene is going to turn out a jim-dandy, I reckon; 
and I’m anxious to try another,” Andy went on 
to say. 

“Well, you boys have sure locoed the whole 
community with that wonder of an aeroplane, 
and perhaps, if the ranchers hope to get any 
decent work out of their punchers, we’d better 
give them a little rest along that line. But 
we’ve been troubled of late with losing some 
of our best heifers; and the boys declare 
they’ve found tracks of a grizzly that comes 
down out of the hills and gets his supper 
every once in so often. So Buckskin is going 
along to show us where he thinks the old 
fellow lives; and perhaps you can get a snap- 
shot of him before we start in to puncture 
his tough old hide with our lead. How about 
that, boys; think you’d like to see how we rid 
the country of a pest that plays havoc with our 
herds? ” 

Frank smiled and nodded as if pleased, but 
Andy as usual broke out into a series of ex- 
clamations that told how delighted he would 
be at the chance. 

“Then it’s a go,” remarked Mr. Wither- 
spoon, carelessly, as though such things as 
bagging a ferocious grizzly bear were, after all 


LEARNING THE ROPES 


115 


of every day occurrence in the life of a cattle 
raiser; and to be looked up, as Andy, for in- 
stance might consider an ordinary flight over 
the level plain, “111 see to it that you both have 
guns, and well start shortly after breakfast, so 
as to do most of our riding before it gets too hot. 
Then, if we want, after we’ve bagged our game 
we might hang round in the foothills and try 
to keep cool until near sunset, when well 
start back,” and he went on talking of other 
things as though this were but a small matter. 


116 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


CHAPTER XI 

OUT FOR BEAR 

“What do you think of this for a place to 
rout out a bear, eh, boys?” arid as Mr. With- 
spoon asked this question he drew in his sweat- 
ing pony, and jumped to the ground. 

The Bird Boys glanced around them. It was 
a wild prospect that greeted their gaze. They 
had left the level plains and entered among the 
rocky foothills that stretched out from the spur 
of the great Rockies reaching far down into 
Arizona. 

In all probability this State has a greater 
range of extremes in the way of geographic 
features than any other in the Union. It 
possesses arid deserts, fertile plains; and the 
whole upper part is a mass of rugged mountain 
ranges, some of them as yet really Dover fully 
explored, and in which many valuable minerals 
have been found that yield fortunes to the 
capitalists whose money has made the mines 
possible. 

These contrasts are often sharply defined, the 
desert touching the very border of a fertile 
tract, or running to the edge of the uplifts where, 
among the rocks, some rippling little stream 


OUT FOR BEAR 


117 


dashes down, to mysteriously disappear under 
the burning sands as though swallowed up. 

After a rather long and exhausting gallop 
that covered many miles the little hunting party 
of four had now arrived among the rocky spurs, 
and entered what was to all appearances a pass, 
though Buckskin called it a coulie, which might 
stand for a deep ravine, or a gulch, differing 
from the dry bed of a former stream which is 
known as a barranca. 

“Do we leave the ponies here, Uncle?” asked 
Frank, who had come to call Mr. Witherspoon 
thus familiarly, though of course the gentleman 
was no relation, being connected on the side 
of Andy’s mother. 

“Yes, staking them out where they can get 
a bite to eat from that grass yonder, while we’re 
gone. We gave them all the water they could 
drink a short time back; and that’ll have to do 
until we start home. Going to snap us off 
again while we stand here beside our mounts, 
are you, Andy?” and the rancher, who by this, 
had found himself taken in a dozen different 
attitudes, and was getting used to it, laughed 
good-naturedly as he struck a natural pose, with 
one hand stroking the neck of his cayuse. 

“Oh! it’s all over with,” replied Andy, coolly, 
“I saw my chance, and just pressed the bulb 


118 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


when nobody was looking. And I bet you I got 
a good one, too. That’s always the best way 
to do. When people think they’re getting in a 
picture they make all sorts of queer faces trying 
to look nice, and it spoils things. But the next 
one I hope will be of Mr. Grizzly, and say, 
Uncle, we won’t have to tell him to look pleas- 
ant, will we?” 

“Oh! I’ve no doubt but that when he knows 
what you’re after he’ll just rear up on his hind 
legs, and grin like a booby,” chuckled Frank. 
“I guess these grizzlies don’t often get a chance 
to have their pictures taken, and he’ll be obliged 
to you for the opening. I hope you get a good 
one, that’s all, Andy.” 

They threw themselves down to rest. 

“No hurry about getting to work,” said Mr. 
Witherspoon, as he lighted his pipe, from which 
he seemed capable of sucking considerable 
enjoyment. “We might as well take it easy 
for a little, while Buckskin is skirmishing around, 
to see if he can locate signs of our four-footed 
friend up yonder among the rocks. An hour 
at this time of day won ’t matter much anyhow, 
because chances are the old rascal is sleeping off 
the effects of the big dinner he made last night 
off another of my heifers, so the foreman re- 
ported.” 


OUT FOR BEAR 


119 


The boys were not unwilling, because the 
ride had been hot and dusty; and just there 
the air seemed stirring a little, which made the 
shade very agreeable, after the open glare of the 
bright sun. 

“But suppose the bear should happen along 
here after we’ve gone, and take a notion to 
tackle one of your ponies, Uncle, wouldn’t 
that be a pretty tough joke on us, if we had to 
go back double?” remarked Andy, as he pot- 
tered with his camera, to make sure that it was 
in the very best of condition for the work he 
expected to put it to presently, if they were 
lucky enough to come across Bruin. 

“Well, you are the greatest hand to think 
up trouble I ever saw, my lad,” declared the 
free and easy-going rancher, “that never occur- 
red to me at all, and I don’t believe there’s one 
chance in ten of it coming to pass, because all 
respectable bears should be asleep in their dens 
at this hot time of day. I reckon then we ’ll have 
to risk it, unless one of you boys choose to sit 
here and stand guard.” 

Of course this was said in the light of a joke, 
because he knew full well neither of them could 
be induced to lose this glorious chance to see a 
real grizzly of the Rockies at home. 

Frank wanted to do a little of the shooting, 


1 20 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


if possible; and as for Andy, he had become 
so thoroughly infatuated with the business of 
picture taking that if he were compelled to 
choose between snapping off the bear’s likeness, 
or putting a chunk of lead between his ribs, 
Frank believed he would take the former, and 
lose all opportunity for securing the trophy of 
the chase for a rug. 

They w T ere still lounging there some time later 
when a rattling of small stones announced 
that somebody or some thing was approaching 
from up the side of the coulie. Mr. Wither- 
spoon just allowed his hand to creep out to 
where his repeating Marlin lay. Not that he 
suspected any danger might be hanging over 
their heads; but then one wants to be on the 
foothills of the Rockies, where grizzlies have 
their dens and sometimes cattle rustlers hide 
out waiting for a chance to descend on the 
unprotected herds, which may be driven away 
to a secret cache, where their marks can be 
altered, and then the animals sold, or shipped 
on the raiload to a distant point. 

But it turned out to be Buckskin, and with 
a wide grin decorating his bronzed face, which 
Frank rightly interpreted to signify that he had 
found the den he was so positive must be near 
by. 


OUT FOR BEAR 


121 


“Hit her the first thing, boys/’ he chirped 
cheerfully, as he threw himself down alongside 
the others, to cool off a little. “And believe 
me, things look good for findin’ our chap at 
home. He dragged that heifer all the way up 
here, consarn his old hide. I could see marks 
of blood on his doorsill. Reckons as how we 
ketched him next door to in the act, Mr. Wither- 
spoon; got him with the goods on, we have. 
And here’s hopin’ that’ll be the last young beef 
he’ll steal from the Double X Ranch.” 

After a short time the rancher got up, and 
threw his rifle in the hollow of his arm. While 
lying there he had told the boys about all that 
he could remember concerning the habits and 
peculiarities of grizzlies, and also warned them 
not to be sparing of their lead when once they 
commenced to throw it; because there is not 
another living wild beast, hunters declare, 
that can stand up under and carry off more 
bullets than one of these monsters. 

The four of them commenced to climb the 
rocky slope. It was no easy task, but they 
took their time about it, Mr. Witherspoon 
pointing out how Buckskin had undoubtedly 
followed the occasional traces left by the bear 
in his many pilgrimages along the same route — 
scratches from his terribly long claws; or it 


122 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


might be occasional tiny stains of blood from 
the carcass of the heifer he had dragged all 
the way from the grass country, and along these 
ragged rocks, just as though it was the easiest 
proposition that had ever been put up to him. 

“Thar she is!” said Buckskin, suddenly, 
pointing with his rifle. 

Following the direction of his outstretched 
weapon, the boys saw what seemed to be a seam 
in the face of the rocky wall a little distance 
away. As they advanced still further they 
realized that it widened near the base, and 
afforded quite an opening, through which even 
the bulky figure of a grizzly could pass with 
ease. 

And upon looking, they found innumerable 
evidences of the fact that some animal had long 
been in the habit of passing in and out of this 
fissure. 

“Why, here's a bunch of brown hairs sticking 
to this sharp point of rock, rubbed off when 
he scraped past!” declared the keen-eyed Frank 
immediately after taking a look around. 

“Good for you, my boy!” exclaimed the 
rancher, evidently well pleased at this evidence 
of alertness on the part of his charge. “Yes, 
that came from the hide of a Mountain Charlie, 
as they call them out in California. You can 


OUT FOR BEAR 


123 


see how coarse it is. Keep it as a memento; 
but I certain sure hope you'll get the real thing 
before we gallop back for our supper late to- 
night." 

“How about him rushing out and surprising 
us, Uncle?" asked Andy. “ Perhaps the old 
fellow mightn't like to have company dropping 
in on him without an invite. And then, you 
see, I wouldn't have any focus at all, which 
would spoil my picture." 

“No need of worrying about that, my lad," 
said the rancher. “He's lying in there as snug 
as you please, with his stomach full of that juicy 
heifer; and it'll be a hard proposition for us to 
coax him to consent to an interview at all. 
Chances are, Buckskin'll have to smoke the 
old villain out. That sometimes happens. But 
w r e might as well begin to make all our arrange- 
ments, looking to getting that picture at the 
right focus; and also placing that little defile 
between us and the bear when he does come 
out, mad as hops at being treated to a smoke." 

He had apparently already figured it all out 
in his own mind and made the necessary arrange- 
ments; for he led them across a deep little defile 
that happened to lie between the bear's den and 
a flat stretch of rock, just fifty paces away. 

From this spot a splendid view could be had 


124 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


of the yawning crevice at the base of the cliff. 
And Andy was delighted to see that for the next 
hour the sun would be favorable to his work 
of securing a good exposure, given the subject. 

“Got your focus all right, have you?” asked* 
the rancher, when he heard Andy give a grunt 
as of satisfaction. 

“Yes,” Andy went on to say, smilingly, 
“everything stands out as clear as a bell; and 
I think I ought to make a boss picture of this; 
that is, if I don ’t go and foozle, because of stage 
fright, when the old rascal comes roaring out 
to ask what we want. You won’t shoot in 
too big a hurry, I hope; give me time to snap 
off a couple, for fear one might be spoiled. 
These sort of chances come only once in a life 
time you know; and ought to be doubled up, 
to make sure.” 

“Well, if we’re all ready here, perhaps you’d 
better get busy, Buckskin, and see if you can 
bring him out with a few cowboy yells. If that 
fails, then there’s some wood over yonder you 
can use; and I notice that you grabbed up some 
stink-weed as you came along, which will fetch 
him dead sure, when it gets to smouldering. 
Sometimes I even think it would bring a dead 
man to life, it’s that powerful. We’ll leave 
this little log across the gully, just as we used 


OUT FOR BEAR 


125 


it to cross on; when you jump over for keeps 
give the same a kick; and that’ll put a gap 
between, the old man can’t cross in a hurry, if 
so be he fails to drop under our fire.” 

Accordingly Buckskin trailing his gun along 
after him, crossed on the aforesaid log that 
served as a bridge over the gully, and went about 
his business of trying to coax the occupant of 
the rocky bear’s den to come out, with just as 
much indifference as though he were obeying 
the call of the range to dinner, when the cook 
pounded on a big frying pan with a basting 
spoon. 

And standing there, the boys and Mr. Wither- 
spoon awaited developments with varied emo- 
tions. / 


128 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


CHAPTER XII 

THE DEFENSE OF THE LOG BRIDGE 

“Listen to Buckskin calling him all sorts 
of names, would you?” exclaimed Andy, a few 
minutes later. 

“If that bear only understood half he’s been 
called, he just couldn ’t stand it a minute longer,” 
declared Mr. Witherspoon, chuckling, “but the 
poor old chap’s education has been neglected, 
so he doesn’t know cowboy lingo. I reckon 
he never even opens one eye, but keeps dozing 
right along. He hasn’t lost any cowboy, and 
so he doesn’t want to be bothered. No good, 
is it, Buckskin?” 

“Don ’t look that way, sir,” replied the other, 
disconsolately, “that’s the trouble with not 
having the gift of gab. Now, if 1 was as good 
a hand at callin’ names, and rattling off the 
lingo as Puffer Pete, chances are he’d just have 
to show a leg. Well, here’s to open up a little 
smoke spell with the boss.” 

Accordingly, he bent over, and seemed to 
be fixing the small tinder he had carried across 
with him. Now and then he would turn his 
head and call out something or other to the boys, 


DEFENSE OF LOG BRIDGE 


127 


as though explaining to the boys what he was 
doing. 

“Now she’s all ready for biz,” he finally 
declared, “watch my smoke, fellers. Hi! here’s 
looking to you, old man ; you ’ve just got to wake 
up, and let us take a look at your mug, you 
know. There she goes! Whoop-la!” 

The watchers saw a wisp of smoke creep up 
lazily. There did not seem to be any wind to 
carry it away; and presently it met a back 
draught, for it appeared to be sucked directly 
into the yawning crevice at the base of the cliff. 

Larger grew the volume of smoke, until quite 
a good-sized column was oozing out of the brush 
Buckskin had piled up. 

“Now for the scent weed!” he called out. 

They saw him carefully place some of this 
on top of the pile, and toward the back where 
its odor would be sure to be wafted into the den, 
with the smoke from the burning wood. 

“Wow! that’s fierce!” Buckskin whooped, 
grabbing hold of his nose with the fingers of his 
free hand, for he was holding fast to his gun 
all this time, not knowing when he might have 
to use it. 

Now he was bending down as though listening 
to catch the first low growl to indicate that Bruin 
had awakened, and was sniffing at the smoke. 


128 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


Buckskin’s attitude told how he was holding 
himself in readiness for a lively sprint, just as 
soon as the signs warned him that the bear was 
rushing for the exit of the den in a terrible rage 
at being interrupted in his nap. No sensible 
cowboy ever wants to come to close grips with 
an enraged grizzly; he knows too much to risk 
a terrible death in that way. 

It was a period of most intense suspense to 
both the boys. 

All at once they saw the crouching cowboy 
galvanized into life. He leaped to his feet, and 
made a lively streak for the little log crossing 
the gap. No need to ask what induced his 
haste, for actions spoke louder than words in 
that case. 

“ Ready, Andy!” Mr. Witherspoon was heard 
to say, hoarsely. 

This thing of attacking a full-grown grizzly 
in his native haunts was no child’s play; and 
even so old a hunter as the owner of Double X 
Ranch doubtless felt more than a little thrill 
as he watched to see the head of the monster 
thrust out of the hole in the wall. 

Andy had his kodak on a line with that open- 
ing and was crouching there ready to get in some 
good work. Let Frank have the glory of shoot- 
ing the bear if he wanted; as for him, he found 


DEFENSE OF LOG BRIDGE 129 


more solid satisfaction nowadays in getting 
snapshots of game, than in trying to lay them 
low. 

“Oh!” 

It was Andy who gave utterance to this cry. 
A great dun-colored bulk had rushed directly 
across the heap of smoking fire-stuff, scattering 
it to the right, and to the left, as he gave a 
fearful roar that made the echoes ring. 

And right then and there Andy pressed the 
bulb. He believed he had caught the bear 
just in the act of throwing the fire every- which- 
way, as Andy himself expressed it later on. 

Immediately he started to turn the film so 
as to bring around a new and unexposed section. 
His fingers were quivering with eagerness and 
nervousness, so that he could hardly hold the 
camera. 

“Steady, Andy; brace up, and take your 
time!” said Frank, who gave his chum one 
quick glance to see how near he was to getting 
in a second snapshot before he and Mr. Wither- 
spoon started to firing. 

That seemed to bring Andy to his senses, and 
the next moment he managed to get his second 
shot at the bear. 

By this time the animal had discovered the 
running Buckskin, and immediately started in 


130 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


hot pursuit, as if recognizing the human agency 
that had made his eyes smart so with that 
pungent smoke; there was now no longer any 
trouble about arousing the bear’s fury; and 
Frank realized just why Buckskin, wise fellow 
that he was, had lost not a second about getting 
started, when he knew the bear was coming. 

He cast one glance over his shoulder as he 
reached the end of the little log. Discovering 
the grizzly shuffling along swiftly in his wake, 
snorting with anger, the cowboy immediately 
started across the rude bridge. Once he slipped, 
and for a second or two it looked as though he 
would drop down twenty feet or more into the 
gully; but by a desperate effort Buckskin 
managed to climb up again, and mostly on 
hands and knees completed the passage. 

The bear was still coming on, apparently in 
no wise daunted by the hot fire that was being 
poured into him by Frank and Mr. Witherspoon. 
Every shot Frank took he fully expected to see 
the huge beast go tumbling over; but in spite 
of all, the bear kept rushing after Buckskin. 
Andy was still working his kodak and taking 
more pictures. 

Just as soon as the cowboy managed to crawl 
upon solid rock he started to dislodge the log. 
It proved a little more difficult than had been 


DEFENSE OF LOG BRIDGE 133 


that’s liis last kick,” remarked Buckskin, who 
was still panting from his recent exertions. 
“Say, Andy, d’ye want me to snap one off with 
you and Frank standing by the game? Seems 
to me you had ought to be seen in some of these 
here pictures. Reckon I know enough to aim, 
after you do the focus act, and squeeze that 
rubber thing.” 

“But we’ve got to cross over first, and our 
bully old bridge is down at the bottom of the 
hole,” expostulated Andy. 

“Oh! here’s another log that will answer just 
as well,” remarked the ranger, “just looks like 
these trees once grew here to accommodate any- 
one who wanted to use a log for a bridge. 
Everybody take hold, and we’ll soon have it 
across.” 

After some trying they managed to get the 
log on end near the edge of the gap. It was no 
trouble, then, to let it fall directly across, and 
as they had calculated rightly, there was another 
means of spanning the gulf. 

So, one after another, they walked across; 
in fact Andy and Buckskin were so anxious to 
see what the grizzly looked like, that they 
neglected to go back and pick up their guns, 
which they had carelessly dropped at the time 
their help was needed in order to move the log. 


134 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


Andy insisted that Uncle Jethro also line up 
alongside the dead grizzly. 

“You helped knock him out, and ought to be 
here more than me,” he declared, when the 
rancher showed signs of holding back; and so 
finally the three were grouped in a manner to 
allow of the game being shown, while the hunters 
also appeared in the picture. 

After Andy had arranged this to suit him, he 
gave the camera into the charge of Buckskin, 
and then went over to take his place alongside 
Frank and the ranchman. 

“Now, look in the finder, and see that you’ve 
got the bear in the middle of the picture,” 
Andy sang out. “How about it, Buckskin?” 

“She’s all right, Andy; tell me when to give 
the punch,” came the reply. 

“Be sure and hold the camera steady as a 
rock wdien you’re going to squeeze the bulb. 
Now, let her go, Gallagher!” and Andy assumed 
a pose as he spoke. 

Immediately after there was a whoop. 

“Right there with the goods, and a regular 
bull’s-eye at that!” shouted Buckskin. “I’m 
the boss boy with the picture machine, let me 
tell you. You see if that ain’t a family group 
to do you proud! Want any more took, Andy? 
Just you warble the word and Buckskin, he’ll 


DEFENSE OF LOG BRIDGE 135 


try to accommerdate you all that’s a-goin’; 
sure he will. How about standin’ the bar up 
on his hind legs and take him that way! Wow! 
holy smoke! look what’s cornin’ in on us, would 
you? Another bar, and bigger nor this un at 
that? Must be the mate o’ our game, and 
lookin’ kinder mad at us. Whar’s my gun? 
What in creation did I do with that six-shot 
pepper box? Run boys, he’s chargin’ us!” 


136 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


CHAPTER XIII 

NEVER-TO-BE-FORGOTTEN DAYS 

Things started in happening about that time. 

And conditions could hardly have been much 
worse; for while Frank and Mr. Witherspoon 
had their rifles along, the magazines had been 
exhausted in their recent shooting affair; while 
the only two serviceable guns lay on the other 
side of the little gulf that was spanned by the 
log. 

“Get to the bridge as fast as you can!’ 
called out the ranchman, with a ring of authority 
in his voice. 

It might have been noticed that Andy d’d 
not wait this time to complain about the 
“focus,” and all that sort of thing; in fact, he 
simply ran for the avenue of escape without 
once looking around him. And both Frank 
and Mr. Witherspoon kept him pretty close 
company. 

Buckskin had been close to the bridge himself 
at the time of his making that astonishing dis- 
covery; and hence he was already passing over. 
As a cowboy is not so sure-footed as a good many 
people accustomed to walking, there were times 
when it began to look as though he might lose 


NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN DAYS 137 


his grip again, and be compelled to resort to the 
original method of using his hands and knees. 

“Don’t let my kodak drop, Buckskin 
shrieked Andy, really more concerned about 
the safety of his little camera just then than his 
own safety. 

Perhaps his outcry did have some steadying 
effect upon the other, for he managed to get 
to the opposite side without having to descend 
to any humiliating experience, but it was a close 
shave. 

And now the boys understood just why Buck- 
skin had made such mad haste. It was not be- 
cause he meant to forsake them, or was so tre- 
mendously alarmed regarding his own con- 
dition. He had suddenly remembered that 
the guns that were charged had been left across 7 
on the other side, and somebody must charge 
that bridge in order to lay hands on them. 

It was doubtless very fortunate for all con- 
cerned that the second grizzly did not see fit 
to charge as ferociously as had its dead mate| 
for in such a case the chances were they must 
have been mixed up with those long, cruel 
claws before the lot of them could cross over. 

The newcomer stopped to sniff at the body 
of the other animal too, and this delayed things 
for a few seconds; just enough for them to get 


138 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


safely over, and for history to repeat itself in so 
far as hurling the log into the hole was con- 
cerned. 

Already Buckskin was getting busy with his 
repeater; and Andy, not to be left in the lurch, 
also scrambled over to where his gun lay. 

- Once more the battle was resumed, with all 
the odds on the side of those who, safe from the 
claws of the monster could at the same time 
send their little leaden messengers of death 
across the gulf, and into the body of the grizzly. 

It hardly seemed fair, and yet what else can 
be done when dealing with such a terrible beast? 
Three men, yes, half a dozen, would not be 
too many to meet so ferocious a fighter at close 
quarters; and in order to win out, it is neces- 
sary to take advantage of every opening. 

Rendered furious because of his wounds, and 
his inability to get at the objects of his hatred, 
the bear finally rushed straight at them, and 
of course toppled over the edge into the gap. 

Meanwhile Mr. Witherspoon and Frank were 
getting fresh cartridges into the magazines of 
their guns as fast as their trembling hands could 
accomplish the feat. No one could tell how 
many shots might be found necessary before 
the tenacious life of the monster was snuffed 
out. 


NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN DAYS 139 


“He’s dropped in!” shouted Andy, who had 
managed to discharge his gun twice, and seemed 
to feel that he had had something more or less 
to do with this last queer action on the part of 
the charging bear. 

“Look out for him climbing up the side!’’ 
cried the rancher, doing his level best to get his 
weapon in serviceable condition. 

“No danger, boss!” whooped Buckskin, who, 
down on hands and knees beside the edge of the 
gully, was trying to figure out what the con- 
dition of the bear might be, “he’s gone and 
cashed his checks in this time, and we done it 
all by ourselves, sure we did, Andy. Say, 
wasn ’t he a whopper, now? And let ’s get ready 
in case there happens to be a whole menagerie 
of the varmints around these diggings.” 

After their guns had been placed in service- 
able condition they crept to the edge of the little 
gulch and surveyed the huddled-up'mass of hair, 
each declaring it to be his positive belief that 
the bear must be dead. 

“Let’s some of us go down to him!” cried 
Frank. 

“You bet we will,” echoed Andy; “I want 
that bearskin the worst kind, because, unless 
I’m greatly off my guess, there are just' three 
holes in the same that my bullets made. How 


140 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


can we do it, Uncle Jethro, Please put us wise. ” 

The rancher knew easily enough how it 
could be done. He even volunteered to be the 
one who should drop down and secure the pelt 
of the dead bear. It was finally arranged, how- 
ever, that Buckskin should do this business 
while Mr. Witherspoon performed the same kind 
of operation in connection with the first victim. 

“Just to think of bagging two bears on the 
same afternoon !” exclaimed the proud Andy, 
as he danced around, trying the best he knew 
how to get some sort of picture of his own prize, 
for the cowboy loudly declared that it must have 
been a bullet from Andy’s gun that did the 
business. 

“It’s so dark and gloomy down there, you 
see,” he complained, as Buckskin hunted for a 
way to clamber down. “If only I had thought 
to fetch along one of my flash-light cartridges 
now, I could do it; or have him take me stand- 
ing with my foot on the prize, and my trusty 
gun in my hands. But that’s all off.” 

“What’s to hinder me taking you in that 
position with the other bear?” ventured Frank; 
“we could slew it around a little, so that it 
wouldn’t look the same as in the first picture; 
and having two skins would prove that we got 
that many bears.” 


NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN DAYS 141 


So Andy finally consented to pose, and 
accordingly had his picture taken in the con- 
ventional attitude of saying: “Look what a 
big hunter I am?” 

It required considerable time to remove the 
two hides; but then cowboys know how to go 
about it, and Mr. Witherspoon was also handy 
with the hunting knife; so that in the end it 
was accomplished. 

As the afternoon was still pretty warm, they 
decided to rest again. At the request of Andy 
the puncher got several pieces of wood that 
might be made to serve in lieu of torches; and 
with these they explored the interior of the bear’s 
den. There was quite a heap of bones inside 
the hole, and once more Andy deplored his want 
of forethought in not providing himself with a 
number of those convenient flash-light affairs, 
by means of which interiors may be photo- 
graphed so well. 

“You don’t find me ever going anywhere 
with my old kodak, without thinking about 
having a light along,” he complained. “Just 
when you think you won’t need such a thing, 
the greatest chance you ever saw happens along 
and makes you feel sick. Why, I don’t know 
what I wouldn’t give to have a chance to take 
a picture of a real bear’s den like that.” 


142 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


Buckskin thereupon consoled him with the 
promise to ride over another day, amply pro- 
vided with all the necessaries, if it so be Mr. 
Witherspoon allowed to let him off, which the 
generous ranchman readily agreed to do, be- 
cause he would have consented to almost any- 
thing if it would add to the pleasure of this 
nephew in whom he was taking such unusual 
interest. 

When the sun had dropped low enough so that 
its heat was not depressing, they started back 
home, taking things easily by the way. 

Their mounts had been rested, and besides, 
knew which way they were now heading, and 
could be depended on to keep doggedly at work, 
without any “sojering,” or trying to “play 
lame,” as some smart cow ponies have been 
known to do when not in the humor for work. 

The moon gave them light when night came 
on, and by ten o’clock they reached the ranch 
buildings. Expecting them at about this time, 
Charley Woo had a splendid supper all ready, 
to which the tired boys did ample justice. 

But the story of the hunt was reserved for 
the morrow; because Mr. Witherspoon saw 
that the others were ready to drop after all those 
hours in the saddle, added to the nervous ex- 
citement of that thrilling bear hunt. 


NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN DAYS 143 


It was now drawing close to the time when 
the regular fall round-up was scheduled to come 
off; for Mr. Witherspoon was one of those care- 
ful ranchmen who did not let things get too far 
ahead of him; and he wanted to know what his 
herds had been doing for him doing the summer 
season, so that all youngsters might be given 
the brand that would stamp them as his property. 

Although both Frank and Andy had wit- 
nessed the operation on smaller scales several 
times, so that the novelty had in a measure 
worn off, still they laid out to accompany the 
band when they went forth in full strength to 
cover the range, and be away several days and 
nights at least. 

Andy, of course, wanted to secure a few more 
striking pictures that would illustrate the stories 
they wished to tell upon reaching home again. 
The only thing he deplored was the fact that 
his stock of films was running very low; he had 
been too lavish in the beginning, not leaving 
enough for the more important subjects apt 
to crowd up later. 

But he had developed the roll containing the 
bear scenes, and was as he admitted “ tickled 
nearly to death” with the splendid results. 
Why, it looked just as if that fierce old denizen 
of the cleft in the rock was roaring out his anger 


144 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


and defiance as he threw the fire sticks in every 
direction; and as for the other one, with Buck- 
skin crawling along the log bridge, and the 
grizzly galloping down toward the end of the 
same, the cowboy declared that he could almost 
hear himself saying bad words because of his 
dizzy head, that always played him false in an 
emergency like this. 

Why, a whole month had slipped away since 
their arrival at the ranch; and in a few more 
weeks they would have to be thinking of getting 
ready to travel back to Bloomsbury and school! 
Every time they talked of it the boys felt blue; 
not that Frank and Andy did not want to see 
the dear ones at home; but they were certainly 
having the time of their lives down here in Ari- 
zona, and hated to leave until they had utterly 
exhausted the mine of pleasures that awaited 
their attention on every hand. 

Uncle Jethro was kindness itself. He never 
wearied of thinking up all sorts of things that 
he believed the two Bird boys would enjoy; 
and when he could not accompany them in 
person, he sent Buckskin instead; so that they 
came to have a decided fancy for the odd little 
“ sawed off ” of a cowboy, as he himself described 
his lack of stature. 

And so it came about that one night the 


NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN DAYS 145 


ranchman remarked that all preparations had 
been made to start on the following day on the 
round-up; the various herds would be ready 
for their inspection; and before they came back 
doubtless every part of the wide-spreading 
territory contained in Double X Ranch would 
have been raked over as with a fine-tooth comb, 
looking for mavericks and stray bunches. 


146 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


CHAPTER XIV 

OFF FOR THE ROUND-UP 

“Phew! it looks like another hot day, Frank !” 

Andy had just dressed, and gone to the win- 
dow to look out. The sun was already up, and 
had that queer, dark red glow that betokens 
an unusual display of heat. It would be a hard 
day for the long ride across the treeless level 
stretching out between the ranch buildings and 
the grassy valleys where the cattle generally 
bunched at this time of year. 

Frank had been strangely silent while dress- 
ing; and as he now joined his cousin at the 
window, Andy noticed for the first time that 
he was looking rather “peaked.” 

“Here, what’s the matter with you, old 
fellow?” he asked, with his customary breezy 
impulsiveness. “You don’t seem a bit tickled 
over the idea of spending a whole day in the 
saddle, and that’s a fact.” 

“Well,” replied the other, with a little smile, 
“the fact is, Andy, I’m afraid I’m going to 
disappoint you.” 

“How’s that?” demanded his cousin, ag- 
gressively. 


OFF FOR THE ROUND-UP 


147 


“I don’t think I’d better try going today, 
and that’s a fact,” Frank went on. 

“Are you sick? Is that what ails you? 
Seemed to me you kicked around a whole lot 
last night, now I come to think of it. Why, 
didn’t you call me up, Frank? What’s the 
matter? I just bet the heat was too much for 
you yesterday. We shouldn’t have done that 
long ride on so nasty a day; felt like I was 
drawn through a straw myself, though I’m 
all right now. But do you really mean that 
you won ’t ride out today wuth the boys?” 

“The way I feel now, it would be silly for me 
to try it,” Frank continued, with a little shake 
of his head. “I seem to be diztfy, and to sit 
on the back of a lively pony for even an hour 
would upset me like everything.” 

“That’s a shame now, ain’t it, Frank?” 

“Oh! I don’t mind it so very much. You’ll 
only be gone a couple or three days at the most; 
and I’ll have Mrs. Ogden, Charley Woo, and 
little Becky to keep me company. And then, 
if I’m feeling myself by tomorrow, why I might 
take a notion to look you boys up by the air 
route. Don’t w T orry about me, Andy.” 

“I don’t mean to, because I expect to stay 
with you and see that you get the right kind of 


1 48 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


care,” said Andy, with his positive face in 
evidence. 

“You’ll do nothing of the kind,” retorted 
Frank. “I’ll be in good hands, and the chances 
are will be all right by noon. So you’re just 
going along with Uncle and the rest. ” 

“I’d like to see anybody make me when I 
put my foot down,” Andy went on to say. 
“The fact of the matter is, Frank, between 
you and me and the lamp-post, when I found 
out what sort of a scorcher we were in for today, 
I began to lose some of my own enthusiasm. 
Sure I’d have gone along if you were all right, 
and taken my medicine as well as I could; 
but this alkali dust don’t please me a whit; 
and on a red hot day it’s a lot of a nuisance to 
have to keep on riding in a saddle on such a 
slow thing as a cayuse.” 

“Oh! you’re spoiled by this mile-a-minute 
gait of your air steed, that’s plain,” chuckled 
Frank, “but your uncle will be disappointed 
if you don’t go along, Andy.” 

“He’ll have to be, then,” returned the other 
steadily, as though his mind was made up, and 
nothing could change it. “I don’t pretend to 
be able to keep up with Buckskin, Shorty and 
all that lot of hard riders. They can wear 
me to a frazzle in the long run. My place, 


OFF FOR THE ROUND-UP 


149 


where I shine, is with you in a biplane. There 
you don ’t have to work your way, but just sit 
and enjoy the grandest view any fellow ever 
had spread out before him, whiled he spinning 
along at much more than a mile-a-minute 
speed. The air route for mine, every time. ,, 

“Well, I see there’s no use trying to force 
you to go; but I ’m sorry that this has happened, 
Andy.’' 

“Shucks! don’t you bother your head about 
me,” his cousin said, with a chuckle. “Fact 
is, I’m rather tickled at finding an excuse for 
backing down without its looking that I’m 
showing the white feather. That thought of 
three days in the saddle, with the heat and dust 
gave me a bad feeling. And Frank, perhaps 
we might look the boys and their chuck wagon 
up tomorrow in our biplane. That’s a heap 
sight more to my fancy, let me tell you, now.” 

“All right, Andy. But there’s your uncle 
outside, looking after things. We’d better 
see him, and let him know, before he gets ponies 
ready for us.” 

Both boys went outside, and when Mr. 
Witherspoon heard about Frank’s sickness he 
expressed the greatest concern. After hearing 
the symptoms he agreed with Andy that it 
must have been the extreme heat of the pre- 


S 50 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


ceding day that had knocked his cousin out. 

“ Nothing serious at all,” announced the 
ranchman, “I’ve felt the same way myself more 
than a few times, after unusual heat, and hard 
riding. No use trying to keep in the saddle 
when you’ve got that dizzy spell; just lie down, 
and Mrs. Ogden ’ll give you a dose of the same 
medicine that always brings me around. 
Chances are you’ll be feeling all right by noon, 
or before night, anyway.” 

“We feel sorry not to be able to go along 
with you on the round-up, Uncle,” remarked 
Andy. 

“I’d put off starting until tomorrow, boys, 
only all preparations have been made and it 
would interfere with our work more or less,” 
the ranchman went on to say with a tinge of 
regret in his voice, as though he were tempted 
to do this at any cost. 

“We wouldn’t think of letting you do such 
a thing, sir!” exclaimed Frank. 

“And besides,” added his cousin, “if Frank is 
all right tomorrow, you may see us sailing 
along to hunt you up, and with a map of the 
whole ranch spread out before us.” 

“You mean you’ll take a spin in your bi- 
plane, is that it, boys?” Mr. Witherspoon went 
on, “Good! Nothing would please us better. 


OFF FOR THE ROUND-UP 


8 51 


I can imagine the antics of the cattle when they 
see a great bird settling down over them.” 

“Oh! well be careful, and try and not start 
a stampede, Uncle; if we do come, after we’ve 
located where you’re working at the time, 
we’ll drop down some distance away, and walk 
over; or you can send mounts for us. But I 
don ’t care to go without Frank, you see. And 
to tell the honest truth, I’m a bit leery about 
riding through such a scorching hot day as this 
promises to be.” 

“Perhaps you’re wise, my boy,” said the 
ranchman, reflectively, “it’s hard enough on 
us old shellbacks, used to breathing this alkali 
dust from one end of the year to the other, and 
must be rough on tenderfeet. Make yourselves 
at home; the best is none too good for you. 
Charley Woo thinks you are a couple of little 
tin gods on wheels, and he’ll do anything in the 
wide world for the wizards who can mount up 
to the clouds, and play tag there with the 
winds. ” 

Frank, though looking badly, would not go 
in and lie down while the outfit was getting in 
readiness to start. He wanted to see all that 
went on, for the chance might never come to 
him again. 

And Andy was busy snapping off several 


152 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


pictures of the scene, as the bunch of active 
cow punchers galloped around on their ponies, 
making the animals do all sorts of wonderful 
feats as they curvetted and pranced, and snorted 
with the excitement. 

“I’ve just got another film of a dozen ex- 
posures,” he complained to Frank, after he had 
taken several views of the chuck wagon, and 
the string of led ponies that had to be taken 
along for service when the hard riding boys 
wore out their first mounts, “and with that 
I want to get my pictures of the round-up; also 
one of the dinner hour, when the entire crowd 
gathers around the chuck wagon.” 

“But how is it that Charley Woo doesn’t 
go along this time; I thought he always did 
the cooking for the crowd when they went off 
like this?” Frank remarked. 

“I asked Uncle about that, and he said that 
the boys had been complaining somewhat 
lately about the Chinaman’s way of cooking. 
He thought they were just spoiled by having 
things too good ; and to show them the difference 
he has arranged to let Shorty do the cooking on 
this trip. He used to, long ago, before Charley 
came along, and got the job.” 

“Oh! that’s it; and the boys are in for a 
lesson, I can see. When they get a dose of 


OFF FOR THE ROUND-UP 


153 


the old style of slinging hash together they ’ll 
never have another word to say about Charley. 
That’s the way things go, sometimes; you 
never miss the water until the well runs dry.” 

“ Looks like they might be going to start 
right away, Frank. Here come the boys on the 
jump, to say goodbye, and hope you ’ll be feeling 
better soon.” 

“I hope they won’t think I’m faking this 
headache, just to get out of riding on the round- 
up with them?” remarked Frank, uneasily. 

“They know you better than that,” returned 
his cousin. “Any fellow who has got the nerve 
to ride in an aeroplane would be equal to any- 
thing, so Buckskin and every one else swears. 
Try as we can, you know there isn ’t one of them 
dares go up. What Buckskin told them about 
his sensations has given the whole bunch cold 
feet so far as wanting to try a ride among the 
clouds. The earth, alkali dust and all, is good 
enough for them, they say. Hello! boys, hope 
you have a grand good time. And if Frank’s 
feeling O. K., look for us along some time to- 
morrow. I want to get some cracker-jack 
pictures of how you round up the cattle, and 
brand the same, those that need the Double 
X mark.” 

Every puncher insisted on gripping the hand 


154 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


of each of the Bird boys, while his restless 
pony danced, and snorted, and acted as though 
just wild to start off like a comet. 

Then came Uncle Jethro and the foreman, 
Waldo Kline, to also shake hands, and say 
how sorry they felt at not having the visitors 
at the ranch along; but the boys again repeated 
their intention of looking in on the workers 
later on. 

With a tremendous racket and waving of 
hats, the string started off, and Andy could not 
resist aiming his kodak after them, for the scene 
was an inspiring one, which he and Frank would 
never forget. 

Further and further away drew the caravan, 
the mules hitched to the chuck wagon being 
kept on the trot by old Shorty, who had once 
again come into his own as cook for the outfit; 
yet wore a troubled look on his face, as though 
he felt uneasy concerning the outcome. For 
cow punchers are no respecters of persons when 
they feel that they have good cause for com- 
plaint concerning the quality of the grub with 
which they are being served; and Shorty had 
before then known of cooks being actually 
tarred and feathered just because they failed 
to come up to the expectations of the clamorous 
bunch of reckless cow men. 


OFF FOR THE ROUND-UP 


155 


Whet) they had vanished from sight far away 
over the plain, in a cloud of dust, Frank went 
in to lie down again; while Andy started to 
amuse himself developing some of the films he 
. had just exposed. 

And as the morning advanced it proved even 
a hotter day than the preceding one had been, 
so that Frank felt he had acted wisely in de- 
clining to take chances on so hard a gallop, 
with his head in such a whirl. 

It was just before noon that Andy came into 
the room in somewhat of a state of excitement. 


156 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


CHAPTER XV 

THE ONE WHO CAME BACK 

“ Frank, do you remember what I did with 
the glasses?” asked Andy, after he had been 
looking all around for a minute or two, with a 
puzzled expression on his face, 
i Now, Andy was not quite so methodical as 
his cousin. He had on occasion been known 
to seem a bit careless, to confess the actual 
truth. And Frank, knowing how such a habit 
is apt to grow on anyone unless severely checked, 
sometimes played a little trick on his chum with 
the sole idea of impressing things upon his mind, 
and correcting this fault. 

He raised his head at Andy’s question. 

“Stop and think, where did you have them 
last?” he remarked, quietly. 

“Oh! say, didn’t I fetch them in last night 
when we were all looking at the man in the 
moon, and those stars that Uncle Jethro said 
were the Belt of Orion the Hunter? I’m dead 
sure I did, Frank; but they don’t seem to be 
around here. Do you know where they are? 
Has anybody borrowed our glasses, Frank? I 
want them right now, and I want them bad.” 

“Look on the table in the living room, and 


THE ONE WHO CAME BACK 157 


I think you’ll find them,” returned Frank* 
sitting up. “I saw you drop them there last 
night, and just wanted to see if you’d remember 
to fetch them to our room. But what’s up, 
Andy?” 

“ You seem to be, just now, old fellow; which 
I take it is a good sign you’re feeling a whole 
lot better. Glad to know it, and that ’s straight. 
But about the glasses — why, there ’s a lone horse- 
man coming along at a slow lope, as if he didn ’t 
care to hurry one little bit; and I’m wondering 
who it can be.” 

“ Perhaps some neighboring rancher coming 
to ask a lot more fool questions about the cost 
of biplanes, and whether any puncher who has 
broken bronchos all his life could learn to herd 
cattle with one of these up-to-date fliers;” 
and Frank, getting up from the cot, started to 
stretch, as though he might indeed be feeling 
more like himself again, the dizzy feeling gone. 

Andy chuckled at what his cousin said; then, 
being really curious to learn the identity of the 
approaching horseman, he hurried out of the 
room. 

Frank followed leisurely, and on getting out- 
side found the other with his eyes glued to the 
small end of the fine glasses, which had come 
in so useful dozens of times when the Bird 


>58 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


boys were whirring through the upper currents, 
and looking for a place below to land. 

“Well, have you made him out?” asked 
Frank, coming up behind the other. 

Andy took the glasses down as he replied: 

“That’s as easy as falling off a log, Frank; 
but I’m wondering what under the sun brings 
Alkali Joe back home again. ” 

“Alkali Joe, you say, Andy; why, he went 
with the bunch this morning!” 

“That’s just what he did,” the other went 
on to say, a little excitedly, “but all the same, 
that’s Joe, as big as life. And if you notice, 
Frank, you’ll think it queer that he doesn’t 
act like they all do when in the saddle, making 
his pony go like the wind, and whirling his hat 
around his head.” 

“That’s so, Andy, he doesn’t,” remarked 
Frank, when he had clapped the glasses to his 
eyes; “fact is, Joe acts like he might be going 
to a funeral. I never saw a cow puncher come 
jogging along like that, taking things as easy 
as he can.” 

“Gee! I hope he isn’t bringing us any bad 
news!” exclaimed Andy. 

“Well, now,” Frank remarked, “I never 
thought of that; but what sort of bad news 
could Uncle Jethro be sending back; and even 


THE ONE WHO CAME BACK 159 


that wouldn ’t be apt to keep down the bubbling 
spirits of an average cowboy.” 

“ Then what do you think can be the matter? ” 
went on the other. 

“I rather believe that Joe has had some sort 
of attack, just like I did; and your uncle has 
sent him home to be dosed and to lie down, 
knowing that he’d never be able to keep his 
seat in the saddle during the wild dash of the 
round-up. ” 

“ Frank, I wonder if that could be so?” Aody 
observed, seriously. “ P’raps it’s going to be 
an epidemic and the whole of us may be down 
w T ith the same, yet. Couldn ’t have been locoed 
by any of that weed they tell us about, could 
we? If the cows they use for milkers gobbled 
any of the same, would it affect us, do you 
think?” 

That idea tickled Frank, for he laughed. 

“I don’t think we stand in any danger that 
way, Andy,” he went on to remark, “but any- 
how, you’ll know about Joe pretty soon, for 
he’s coming along on a steady lope, and will be 
here inside of ten minutes, at most.” 

They stood and watched the cow puncher 
swinging along at that easy gait; it seemed as 
though the man in the sheepskin chaps might 
be part and parcel with his pony they moved 


160 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


with such a steady rhythm. And before the 
time limit which Frank had set expired he had 
come to a full stop before them. 

But Frank had already made a discovery. 
This was to the effect that one of Joe's lower 
limbs seemed to be bound up with a rough 
bandage. 

“What happened, Joe?" he asked, stepping 
forward to the side of the other, who seemed 
to have what might be called a sheepish grin 
on his sunburned face. 

“I made a fool play, and got pitched over 
the head of my pony, when he stepped into a 
gopher hole. Broke a leg, that's all; reckons 
as how I orter broke my fool neck to even her up. 
Have to get you boys to help me off the hoss. 
Never knew that to happen before to a feller 
my size. Mr. Witherspoon, he did her up in 
fust class shape, and sez he, ‘You get back to 
the ranch the best way you can, and the boys'll 
do what's needed, with the help of Mrs. Ogden. 
So if you'll jest give me a hand, mebbe I might 
hop inside the bunk house." 

“No you don't," said impulsive Andy, in- 
stantly, “you'll go right in the main house. 
Guess I know what Uncle Jethro 'd do if he was 
here. That bunk house may be all right for a 
well puncher, but with its noisy crowd it's no 


THE ONE WHO CAME BACK !6I 


place for a man with a broken leg. Now, rest 
your whole weight on us, Joe; we can stand it, 
all right. That’s the way; hope it didn’t hurt 
much when you dropped out of the saddle. 
Now, use us like you would a pair of crutches, 
and we’ll get there, step by step. ” 

The housekeeper and little Becky came run- 
ning out just then, alarmed by seeing Alkali 
Joe, who was something of a favorite on the 
ranch, in dire straits. Even Charley Woo was 
solicitous about the comfort of the injured 
man, and hurried in with Mrs. Ogden to get a 
bed ready in the spare room. 

After the boys had gotten the cow puncher 
in bed, Frank took a look at the way Mr. 
Witherspoon had bound up the broken leg. 

“Why, your uncle must be a regular sur- 
geon, Andy!” he declared, “that’s as neat a 
job as I ever saw; and done while on the gallop, 
too, you might say. I take off my hat to Uncle 
Jethro, let me tell you right now.” 

“We all do that, Frank,” said Joe, emphatic- 
ally. “He’s the most wonderful man in the 
whole country. There ain’t a puncher that 
ever worked for him as wouldn ’t go through fire 
and flood for Mr. Witherspoon; well, I take 
that back, ’cause I reckon they has been one or 
two as he had to fire, and for mighty good rea- 


162 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


sons, that’d like to see him lose all his stock 
through a norther, or else that Mexican cattle 
rustler.” 

Inside half an hour the injured man had been 
made as comfortable as possible; he himself 
said it was the greatest snap that had ever be- 
fallen him, and that he hadn’t lain between soft 
white sheets since he was a kid at home in the 
East. Frank thought that old memories were 
being stirred in Joe’s mind; perhaps, after all, 
his accident might work for his good, in that 
it would cause him to recollect that there was an 
old mother or father somewhere east of the 
Mississippi, whom he had almost forgotten, 
and who would be wild with joy if only a letter 
came from the boy who had gone away from 
home so many years ago, and in the excitement 
of his life in the Southwest shut out all thoughts 
of the past from his heart. 

Frank and Andy after having lunch sat out- 
side where the shadows were thickest at this 
sweltering time of day. There could always be 
found a gentle puff of air at this favorite place; 
and lounging in a hammock, while Andy worked 
at some of his prints, Frank watched a lone 
white cloud that was drifting across the azure 
sky above. 

Perhaps his thoughts too were turning back 


THE ONE WHO CAME BACK 163 


to other scenes as he lay there. It might be 
that the sight of that single fleecy fog-like vapor 
caused him to remember events that were con- 
nected with other scenes in the lively experi- 
ences which had come to the Bird boys while 
harnessing their chariot to the clouds. 

“What you thinking about, Frank?” Andy 
asked, suddenly, after he had been watching 
the face of his cousin for a full minute without 
the other knowing it. 

“Why, I was trying to picture rough Alkali 
Joe in the past,” replied Frank. “What he 
said about not having slept between sheets 
since he was a kid, made me think. Did you 
see that picture that fell out of his pocket when 
we took off his Mexican jacket, the one he won 
at the raffle they told us about?” 

“Sure I did; but that wasn’t Joe’s best girl, 
Frank; when I picked it up and put it back I 
saw that it was the face of an elderly woman.” 

“All the same it ought to be Joe’s best girl; 
because I reckon it’s his mother. And I re- 
member him saying one day that he didn’t 
know whether there was anybody alive in his 
family or not, because he hadn ’t written a letter 
home for six whole years. And Andy, I was 
just thinking, that while he’s on his back there, 
it might be a good time to get talking to Joe, 


1 64 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


and see if he wouldn’t think to write. If his 
mother’s alive still, I reckon she’d be happy to 
hear from him again.” 

“ Frank, that’s just like you for all the world? 
always wanting to do somebody a good turn. 
Now, that wouldn’t have struck me at all; but 
since you’ve mentioned it, I’m going to watch 
my chance to get talking about home and all 
such things, and see if I can’t wake Joe up. 
He’s a good-hearted fellow, if he is tough. But 
by the way you’re getting back to your old 
self, I think the chances look good for our making 
tha.t start tomorrow in the biplane.” 

“It does look that way, if nothing happens 
between now and then to break up our plans,” 
replied the other. “Doctor Witherspoon has 
certainly knocked that dizziness out of my sys- 
tem, and I’m as well as ever now. Fact is, 
there’s a little job connected with the motor 
that ought to be attended to, to put it in first- 
class condition, and when the sun gets lower 
down, so that a fellow can breathe better, why 
I think I’ll get busy.” 

“And me to help you,” chirped Andy, 
promptly, “I’m about done with this printing 
business anyway. Say, what d’ye think of this 
lot of pictures? Don ’t it give you a cold chill 
just to look at that old grizzly scattering things 


THE ONE WHO CAME BACK 165 


around at the mouth of his den? And every 
time I glimpse Buckskin hanging on to that 
log bridge with his fingers and teeth, trying to 
climb back again after losing his balance, it 
makes me shake all over, I want to laugh so 
hard. A pretty good lot all told, Frank.” 

“That's what they are; Andy, and the folks 
at home will have a fine time looking them over. 
You'll be able to illustrate nearly every big 
yarn you have to tell; and the round-up to- 
morrow ought to just fill out the bill. But I can 
make use of you, if you care to come over with 
me to the hangar. An air has started up, you 
notice, and it doesn't feel quite so hot,” and 
accompanied by his cousin, after Andy had put 
his prints and trays away in the house, Frank 
sauntered leisurely over to where stood the 
new shed, which had been built to shelter the 
precious aeroplane wonder. 


166 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


CHAPTER XVI 

AN ALARMING DISCOVERY 

Long before evening came on Frank had com- 
pleted his work, and pronounced the aeroplane 
in as near perfect condition as it could be placed. 

Andy had some more prints to worry over 
after supper, but it was a labor of love with him, 
and he never wearied of it. There was such a 
fascination about seeing the many well re- 
membered scenes flash up before him, after he 
had dropped the paper in the tray holding his 
developing solution, and then carefully manipu- 
lating them so as to bring out the best possible 
results, that Frank declared he would have to 
drag him to bed later on. 

They spent a very pleasant evening. Mrs. 
Ogden played the piano, and Frank was able 
to do some little execution with the violin which 
Mr. Witherspoon himself could manipulate 
so cleverly. Andy thumped on a banjo, and 
even sang a few college songs, such as the boys 
of Bloomsbury High delighted to learn in antici- 
pation of the time when they would go away to 
Yale, Harvard, Cornell, or possibly Princeton, 
according to the mood that influenced them in 
making a choice. 


AN ALARMING DISCOVERY 167 


When Charley Woo was discovered by little 
Becky crouching in the doorway and evidently 
enjoying the music, he was induced to bring a 
native Chinese instrument, fashioned after the 
manner of a mandolin from which he managed 
to extract some weird kind of music almost bar- 
baric in its way, which added more or less to 
the enjoyment of the evening, and made the 
player superlatively happy. 

As the door of the room where Alkali Joe lay 
upon his bed was kept open, so that he could en- 
joy the music, they heard him clapping his 
hands for some time after each air. 

Purposely Frank influenced Mrs. Ogden to 
sing “Home, Sweet Home,” with himself and 
Andy coming in on the chorus, as well as the 
sweet, bird-like tones of little Becky’s voice. 
She gave promise of quite some talent in the line 
of music, and would carol half the day in her 
childish way. 

And Frank listening heard no applause after 
they were through; instead, there was a dense 
silence beyond that open door, as though some- 
thing about the song had touched the hardened 
heart of the cow puncher, and started him to 
thinking of things that had long banished from 
his mind. 

Even Andy noticed the suggestive silence, 


163 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


and catching the eye of his cousin, nodded his 
head in the direction of the room where the in- 
jured man lay, while he smiled, as much as to 
say: 

'‘That was a center-shot, Frank; you hit 
the bulFseye that time, old fellow, and chances 
are that now he’s got to thinking, Joe isn’t 
going to be able to forget again in a hurry. 
You mark my words, there’ll be a call for paper 
and pen inside of a day or two.” 

And sure enough, though there may be no 
further opportunity to mention the matter 
again, on account of other stirring scenes that 
await our attention, it can be stated right here 
and now that Alkali Joe did write a letter home 
before another forty-eight hours had expired. 
So that the little accident of his being pitched 
over the head of his pony when the animal 
stepped into a gopher hole, while going at a 
round pace, was the means of bringing joy to 
the heart of a grieving old mother in a far-away 
Eastern State. 

Strange that not one of them noticed a face 
that was pressed close to the corner of the open 
sash of the window in the back of the room, 
from time to time, a dark seowliDg face that was 
marked by glittering eyes, which seemed to be 


AN ALARMING DISCOVERY 169 


fastened on the little sprite of a girl whenever 
she danced across the floor. 

No one dreamed of anything like danger, 
when the atmosphere seemed so calm and 
delightful. But then, that is the way things 
often go; and many times the gathering storm 
steals up unobserved, until there is a savage 
burst of thunder, accompanied by a vivid 
flash of lightning, startling every one by its 
sudden coming. 

Finally Mrs. Ogden declared that the hour 
had grown late for little Becky to be up; and as 
was her custom, the winsome child went to each 
of the boys to kiss him goodnight. 

After that Frank picked up a book, and in- 
terested himself in the story; while Andy, 
unable to tear himself away from his beloved 
camera work, started to print again, having 
another batch of proofs from which he had not 
as yet taken pictures. 

The face at the window did not appear again 
after the housekeeper and little Becky left the 
living-room. It might be assumed from this 
that the spy without had lost all interest in the 
occupants when the child vanished from view. 

Frank read on until he found his eyes growing 
heavy. Then with a yawn he tossed the book 
on the table. 


170 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


“Ten o’clock, Andy,” he remarked, as a 
gentle reminder. 

“Oh! that isn’t late,” said the other, “you 
know, we go to bed at all hours at our house 
at home. A doctor never knows when he can 
get a night’s sleep; and that breaks up things 
in his family more or less. But I’m on the 
home stretch with this batch of prints, Frank. 
Give me a little more time, won ’t you? When 
I get started with my trays and chemicals I 
like to clean up a lot of stuff. ” 

“Ten minutes more,” remarked Frank, 
grimly. 

“Oh! well p’raps I can get through then; 
but even if I don’t you might sneak off, and 
leave me to put out the glim when I am 
through,” the other went on to say. 

“Not if I know myself and I think I do, 
likewise you,” chuckled Frank. “Why, you 
never would come to bed till long after midnight. 
It’d be just one more batch, and then another 
after that, to the wind-up. I’ll wait for you, 
my boy. Ten minutes, and then we’ll close up 
shop.” 

Andy knew that his cousin would stick to 
his word; he had been up against it more than 
a few times in the past, and so he hurried mat- 
ters as much as he could. When the ten minutes 


AN ALARMING DISCOVERY 171 


had expired he begged for five more, as grace, 
saying that he would just spoil the few prints 
that had to be finished if they were left in the 
washing water until morning; and so Frank 
gave in that far. 

When they were undressing, later on, Frank 
thrust his head out of the window to look at 
the glory of the moonlight night, and wonder 
what the boys were doing in the round-up camp, 
just then. 

The night was now cool and pleasant, as they 
frequently are after a hot day in Arizona, 
especially about the Fall season. Stars shone 
softly above, and there the moon hung like a 
big lantern, lighting up the earth below. 

How many memories did it not recall to the 
Bird boys, every time they looked up and saw 
that great yellow shield! Had they not looked 
upon it under various periods of stress and 
peril in their own lives; sometimes near the 
home town, and again it might be far away in 
the mysterious country bordering the Magda- 
lena river, down in Colombia, where the tropical 
sun shone far hotter than it did here in the 
Arizona regions. 

Often the Bird boys were influenced to talk 
of these past experiences, when the mood came 
upon them; but Andy usually became more 


172 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


or less excited whenever he was reminded of 
these stirring events; and tonight Frank wisely 
refrained from starting him going by men- 
tioning the memories that were awakened by 
that lovely round orb. 

The last thing he remembered Andy saying 
was that it promised to be a good day for the 
little air voyage they contemplated taking on 
the morrow; which caused Frank to chuckle, 
because in this arid country, where it seldom 
rained, all days were good ones, save as the heat 
or blowing alkali dust might bring discomfort 
in their train. 

When Frank awoke again it was broad day. 
He no longer was troubled with that dizzy 
feeling; and yet it seemed to him as though a 
weight might be pressing down upon him. The 
air was unusually bracing on this particular 
morning, too, so that Frank did not know what 
to make of it. 

Not being a boy given to such a things as 
the “blues,” he shook himself with the inten- 
tion of getting rid of this feeling and sternly 
put it out of his mind. 

They went outdoors to take a look around, 
while waiting for Charley Woo to call them to 
breakfast. He was already up and doing, as 
the smoke from the kitchen chimney told. 


AN ALARMING DISCOVERY 173 


Indeed, there was an unmistakable smell 
of cooking in the air that caused Andy to sniff 
eagerly, and remark: 

“Tell me, don’t that coffee smell fine* and 
as sure as you live, Charley Woo is going to 
give us a mess of his famous flapjacks, too. 
When we go away from here, Frank, we’ll have 
to send that Chink something nice, to pay him 
for all he’s done to make us happy while on the 
ranch. I really think Charlie ’d lie awake all 
night hatching up some new mess to tickle us 
with. Uncle struck a treasure when that 
moon-eyed Celestial came wandering along 
here looking for a berth, when the tough 
punchers of the M-bar-M outfit chased him 
off because he let a hair from his queue get in 
the soup.” 

Presently the call came for breakfast, and the 
boys hurried in to attack the eggs and bacon 
and pancakes that were spread before them; 
together with butter, rolls, coffee, and genuine 
maple syrup, of which latter article the ranch- 
man was very fond. 

They wondered a little that Mrs. Ogden was 
not with them, but all the same proceeded to 
do full justice to Charley Woo's cooking. The 
grinning Chinaman waited on them with his 
customary agility, almost anticipating their 


174 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


wants, and insisting on piling more flapjacks 
on their plates as fast as they were emptied, 
until both boys had to hold their hands over 
them and vow that they could not devour 
another one for love or money. 

“ Suppose you go and knock on Mrs. Ogden’s 
door at the other end of the house, and tell 
her the cakes will get cold is she doesn ’t come 
quick,” suggested Andy. 

“ Yes, I never knew her to be sleeping in so, 
since we’ve been here,” added Frank, and yet 
as Charley Woo, who could make himself handy 
about the house in the capacity of a man of all 
work as well as chef, hurried off to carry out the 
suggestion, neither of the boys had the slightest 
suspicion that anything out of the way was the 
matter. 

The first thing they knew about trouble was 
when they heard the Chinaman shouting in a 
wild fashion; and jumping up, regardless of the 
heavy meal they had just devoured, they ran 
through the passage to where the sound came 
from, their hearts almost standing still with 
sudden apprehension, they knew not what of. 

The outer door of the two rooms which were 
occupied by the housekeeper and little blue- 
eyed Becky was open, and as Frank and Andy 
burst through impetuously, they saw Charley 


AN ALARMING DISCOVERY 175 


Woo, trying to unwind some pieces of rope 
which had evidently been used to bind Mrs. 
Ogden to the bed posts. A towel with which 
she had possibly been gagged lay on the floor. 
The poor woman was in her wrapper, and so 
completely exhausted that she could hardly 
make a sound. But evidently she wanted 
to tell them something important, for her lips 
kept on moving; and Frank, bending down 
managed to catch the sense of the whispered 
sounds. 

No winder his face was white as he turned 
his head, and looked at his cousin. 

“She says little Becky has been kidnapped !” 
was what he flung at Andy. 


176 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


CHAPTER XVII 

THE CARRYING OFF OF LITTLE BECKY 

Andy fell back arid stared at his cousin 
helplessly when he heard this startling an- 
nouncement. 

Meanwhile Frank had started in to assist 
Charley Woo cut the rope which had been so 
cruelly used to make the housekeeper a prisoner. 
Then he helped her to regain her feet, for she 
had sank down utterly exhausted as soon as 
released. 

But Mrs. Ogden was a sensible woman, and 
she was trying the best she knew how to recover 
her speech; so that presently Frank thought 
it time to ask her something about what had 
happened. 

“He must have crept in through the open 
window!” she gasped. “I thought the night 
wind had started blowing the blind, and got up 
to fix it, when he caught hold of me, and that 
was the last I knew until I came to my senses 
and found myself bound, and with a towel 
fastened across my face so that I could not 
cry out, when he was just passing out of the 
window. In the moonlight I could see that 
he held a bundle in his arms, and I knew what 


CARRYING OFF OF BECKY 


! 77 


it must be. Oh! what will Mr. Witherspoon 
say when he learns how I have let that sweet 
child be taken away from under my eyes.” 

That seemed to be the main cause for her 
distress; she thought nothing at all about her 
own sufferings, but was only concerned about 
what her employer would think because she 
had not been able to prevent the kidnapping 
of the child. 

Though Andy had not yet recovered his voice, 
and was groping in the dark with regard to what 
it all meant, Frank, clearer visioned, had already 
made a pretty straight guess. He immediately 
started to ask a few questions, and each one of 
them went straight to the point. 

“Did you see the man clearly, Mrs. Ogden?” 
he demanded; and somehow the housekeeper 
seemed to feel something of the same confidence 
in Frank that his manner nearly always pro- 
duced in those who were in distress. 

“No, because the moon was on the other side 
of the house,” she replied; “and besides, he 
seemed to have some sort of bandanna handker- 
chief fastened around the lower part of his face 
as a disguise.” 

“And did he say anything that you heard, 
anything that would give you a clue with re- 
gard to who he was?” Frank went on to ask. 


178 BIRD BOYS* AEROPLANE WONDER 


“I remember that when he first caught me 
by the throat he did utter a low word, and it 
was a Mexican word, too,” she answered, slowly, 
as though her mind might not yet be working 
as clearly as usual. 

“That is a point, then, to be remembered,” 
the boy insisted, “and here’s something that 
might give us another clue.” 

He picked an object up from the floor, and 
held it aloft. 

“A Mexican sombrero!” exclaimed Andy, 
recovering his speech at last. 

“Just what it is,” said Frank, steadily, “and 
as is the habit with these men from over the 
border, this one is decorated heavily with silver 
beads, and gold buttons, as well as filigree work. 
One of these hats is worth a lot of money, and the 
owner is as proud of it as a lady would be of her 
magnificent diamonds at the opera. Please 
try and think, Mrs. Ogden, did you ever see 
this sombrero before?” 

He held it up in front of her eyes, slowly 
turning it around, so that she might observe 
every part in turn. 

The housekeeper uttered a low bubbling cry. 
Evidently the truth had flashed into her mind, 
and she was no longer groping in the dark. 


CARRYING OFF OF BECKY 


179 


“Yes, yes, I do remember seeing that hat, 
Frank, Andy!” she exclaimed. 

“On the head of a certain gentleman who 
went by the name of Jose Sandero?” pursued 
the boy, as if trying to aid her memory. 

“No other, though it was some years ago!” 
she cried. “They always decorate each new 
hat in the same way as the last. And when 
he was here that time to demand his child, only 
to hear that the court had given her into the 
keeping of Mr. Witherspoon, Jose Sandero wore 
just such a sombrero. Oh! it was him, all 
right; and the poor little darling has been 
carried off by her own unworthy father. He 
will make for the border as fast as horses can 
carry him, hoping to be safe beyond the line 
before the return of Mr. Witherspoon.” 

Frank had already guessed this much. It 
looked like a serious proposition; but then he 
was a boy not easily daunted. The more 
difficult the task the greater was Frank Bird’s 
resolution apt to be aroused. 

First of all it seemed essential that the ranch- 
man must be notified of what had happened 
and that as quickly as possible. They were 
many miles away, and doubtless much valuable 
time would be lost, even after the messenger 
reached the round-up camp, since the boys 


f 30 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


would be off here and there engaged in their 
work of gathering the cattle for the purpose of 
picking out unbranded stock, and driving it in 
to be marked, after it had been roped and 
thrown. 

Meanwhile, it was necessary that they find 
out if possible which way the kidnapper had 
had gone; though the chances were ten to one 
the direction would be south. There were 
several reasons for believing this. In the first 
place Mexico lay in that quarter; and doubtless 
across the border Jose Sandero had prepared a 
hiding place where he could defy the United 
States courts to summon him. Perhaps he 
also had friends and comrades awaiting him 
there, who would defend him against any pur- 
suit of the Double X Ranch cow punchers, 
bent on recovering the child and punishing the 
bold abductor. 

Frank stepped over to the window, and looked 
out. 

It happened that just below the earth was 
soft, for Mr. Witherspoon had made a brave 
effort to have certain flowering shrubs bloom 
near the house, and several pink oleanders and 
scarlet hibiscus did manage to survive the heat, 
being carefully watered each morning and even- 
ing by Charley Woo with his hose. 


CARRYING OFF OF BECKY 


131 


And looking closely Frank could see the mark 
of footprints. He climbed out of the window 
and began to follow them, Andy being quickly 
at his side, bubbling over with indignation 
and breathing all sorts of dire threats against 
the bad man who had for some reason other 
then affection chosen to steal the child to whom 
he no longer had any claim, selecting the very 
time when the punchers would be far away from 
the ranch house, which he had expected would 
be practically left unprotected. 

Frank kept on following the tracks until finally 
he came to the now almost empty corral, where 
the riding horses were kept when the boys were 
at home. 

“See,” Frank observed, “here is where he 
had his pony tied — there were two of them, 
Andy, showing that he came here with the in- 
tention of carrying little Becky off.” 

“Yes,” added Andy, “and now we ought 
to learn which way he went. But Frank, 
there’s hardly a pony fit to ride except Alkali 
Joe’s mount in the corral. They took every 
one along for use in the rough work ox the 
round-up. Uncle says he will have to break 
in a lot more right away. They’ve been losing 
a large number lately, you remember. Heads 
into the south, don’t it, Frank?” 


182 BIRD BOYS' AEROPLANE WONDER 


“Yes, just as I thought it would,” muttered 
the other coming to a stand, and looking away 
off over the level stretch of plain, as though he 
wished he had eyes strong enough to discover 
the fleeing marauder, miles and miles away 
though he must be before now. 

“Poor little Becky, how frightened she must 
be to find herself being carried off by that man, ” 
remarked Andy, his voice trembling with feel- 
ing; and he had to stop speaking to grit his 
teeth/ as anger almost overwhelmed him. “Of 
course he’s told her before now that he is her 
father; but that won ’t make her feel any better, 
because she has heard enough from the boys to 
know that Jose is a bad man, who deserted her 
mother, and was in one way the cause of her 
death. Whatever do you suppose he did it 
for, Frank; not that he could care about 
Becky, who looks too much like her mother 
did to ever make him love her? More ’n 
likely now, he’s gone to all this trouble, and 
risked his neck in the bargain, just to get even 
with Uncle Jethro.” 

“I wouldn’t be much surprised if you’ve hit 
the nail on the head, Andy,” observed the 
other soberly. “But the question is, what are 
we going to do about it, for it seems to me 


CARRYING OFF OF BECKY 


183 


it’s up to us pretty much to start somethiug 
moving. ” 

Andy suddenly looked up eagerly. 

“Tell you what, Frank!” he exclaimed, 
“we’ve got something better than ponies to 
take us over the ground to where Uncle Jethro 
and the boys are at work. What’s going to 
hinder us from making use of the biplane to 
cover these miles of space? Why, we can 
just whizz down there, and carry the news!” 

Frank appeared to be thinking, for he did not 
make any remark in answer to this bright 
suggestion on the part of his chum. 

“Lock,” Andy went on to remark, “if there 
isn’t Alkali Joe hobbling around on one foot 
vrith a cane to support him. Chances are, 
he’ll be asking us to let him ride for help, while 
we try and overtake the kidnapper; but that 
would be a terrible thing to let him do. Better 
send Charley Woo, if somebody has to go, and 
you don’t v^ant to waste time by using the 
machine. ” 

“I was thinking why shouldn’t we set out 
straight on the track of Jose, using the biplane 
instead of ponies?” Frank suddenly broke out 
with. 

“Good! Great stunt! It does take you to 
think up things, Frank. There I kept on 


184 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


beating about the bush, and saying we might 
carry the news to the boys, when all the time 
we had the opening before us to chase right 
after the skunk, hot-footed. And say, there’s 
those fine Marlin guns we used on the bear 
hunt; couldn’t we make out to carry a couple 
of that sort along with us, Frank? Oh! the 
way I feel right now, it wouldn’t take much 
to tempt me to put a chunk of lead in that 
Mexican, 1 tell you. How about that, Frank; 
ain ’t we going armed, if we have to try and get 
our little ranch butterfly back again?” 

“Of course, Andy; it would be silly to think 
of going without some sort of gun along. When 
you’re meaning to arrest a bad man you had 
ought to make sure you’re heeled so as to 
enforce your demands. We’ll take shooting- 
irons along in numbers enough to riddle him 
if it comes to a question of a stand-up fight. 
And now’s let’s hurry back to the house. Be- 
fore we can get off there are a few things we 
must see to, you understand.” 

“Then you don’t think we had better run 
over to where the boys are, first of all, and let 
them know?” Andy went on to ask, loth to let 
his suggestion be wholly thrown into the dis- 
card. 

“A waste of time, when everything is going 


CARRYING OFF OF BECKY 


185 


to depend on how fast we can overtake Jose and 
little Becky,” Frank asserted, firmly. “We 
can start Charley Woo off; or if necessary, 
Mrs. Ogden, who can ride nearly as well as a 
man, will go. Come, the sooner we start in 
the quicker we’ll be able to do something worth 
while.” 

And Andy, duly impressed once more with 
the fact that Frank was able to handle the 
situation, if any one could, only too gladly 
hurried after his cousin when the latter headed 
for the house. 

No one paid the least attention to the fact 
that it was a fine airy morning, for the catas- 
trophe which had come upon Double X Ranch 
so suddenly had by this time filled their minds 
to the exclusion of everything else. 

And it was an excited group that gathered 
by the horse block in front of the door — the 
housekeeper wringing her hands in anguish; 
Frank and Andy looking very determined; 
Charley Woo in a flutter; and Alkali Joe 
furious because of his crippled condition. 


188 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


CHAPTER XVIII 

THE AEROPLANE PURSUIT 

“But ain’t you a-goin’ to let me ride over 
and tell the boss what’s happened?” com- 
plained Alkali Joe, after Frank had io as few 
words as possible explained just what he and 
Andy meant to do; and while this was taking 
place his cousin had slipped into the house to 
secure the coveted guns, the value of which 
they knew only too well after that excitement 
over the bear hunt. 

“You never could make it, Joe,” said Mrs. 
Ogden decisively, “chances are you’d give 
that leg a wrench on the way, and just faint 
from the pain. Besides, it would be a crying 
shame to let a wounded man gallop all day long 
nearly, or even for a few hours. I’d sooner 
ride myself than let you try it.” 

“How about you, Charley Woo; can you 
ride a pony, and follow as plain a trail as the 
bunch left behind them?” asked Frank, turning 
to the Chinaman. 

Charley Woo nodded his head so violently 
that his dangling queue looked like an animated 
rope hanging down his back. He removed his 


THE AEROPLANE PURSUIT 187 


hands with their long fingernails, from the wide 
sleeves of the jacket he wore. 

“Sure tling, Flank !” he exclaimed eagerly, 
delighted it seemed to have such confidence re- 
posed in him; “him know where Mistah Witha- 
sploon camp las’ night; been samee place much 
many tlimes ’long with him. Go there light 
away, fast as Joe, he pony run. Tell when, 
that all.” 

Alkali opened his mouth to object to his 
favorite cayuse being ridden by another than 
himself, and a miserable “Chink” at that; 
then he shut his teeth hard together as he re- 
membered what it all meant, and how foolish 
he would be to throw any obstacle in the way 
of the rescue of the little sunbeam that had been 
the idol of the ranch for some years now. 

Frank himself hurried off to rope the pony 
in the corral. He had learned how to do this 
almost as well as any of the cow punchers 
themselves; and quickly made his reappearance 
leading the mount that had played havoc with 
his master’s limb when he failed to detect the 
gopher hole in the trail. The little animal was 
showing all the signs of anger at being caught 
by anyone other than the master he acknowl- 
edged, but Frank had no time to waste, and 
had handled him without gloves. 


188 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


Charley Woo did not seem to be one whit 
afraid because the pony snorted and tried to 
bite him when he approached. Watching his 
chance, when all was ready, the nimble China- 
man made a flying leap for the saddle that 
would have done credit to Alkali Joe himself. 
He had a quirt in his hand, secured by a stout 
buckskin thong to his wrist; and no sooner 
did he clutch the bridle than he brought this 
leather torment down upon the horse’s heaving 
flank with a vicious smack. 

At the same instant Frank released his grip, 
and away the pony flew, the huddled figure 
of the Chinaman dressed in his white, flapping 
garments, on his back, with his long queue 
flying out behind like a rope. 

“He’s headed straight to begin with, 7; said 
Andy, with a sigh of relief. 

“Charley Woo is all right/ 7 declared Frank, 
“and sooner or later he'll get to where Mr. 
Witherspoon is camped, to carry him the news . 7 9 

“He will if that pony don 7 t play some smart 
trick on him/ 7 muttered Alkali Joe, frowning, 
“You orter let me try it, Frank; I 7 m tough as 
knots, and I reckon I 7 d a-stood it. 77 

“You get back to your bed as fast as you 
can, Joe/ 7 returned Frank. “Right now, per- 
haps you 7 ve put back the knitting of that bone, 


THE AEROPLANE PURSUIT 189 


and it may have to be set all over again when 
Mr. Witherspoon gets a chance to look at it. 
Come along, Andy, we’ve got our job laid out 
for us.” 

Joe still leaned against the hitching rail, 
and looked longingly after the Bird boys. From 
the gloom on his dark face, and the twitching 
of the muscles around his mouth, it could be 
plainly seen that the puncher was taking his 
misfortune with a bad grace; and that he 
thought himself the most badly used fellow 
inside of fifty miles; all because he had not been 
allowed to make that mad dash of twenty or 
more miles in a broiling sun, with a broken 
leg dangling uselessly at his side; and had to 
suffer the mortification of seeing a “ heathen 
Chinee” gallop away on his pony. It must have 
been a cruel experience for Alkali Joe, and one 
that he would not soon forget either. 

Meanwhile the two young aviators hurried 
over to the frame building that Mr. Wither- 
spoon had had erected before their coming, and 
which was to be used as a hangar for their 
precious biplane. 

“How lucky, Frank that you overhauled 
the motor only yesterday,” remarked Andy, 
as they reached the wide doors of the shed 
which, upon being thrown open would allow 


f 90 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


of the aeroplane being wheeled out to where 
they usually started off. 

“I was just thinking that myself/’ replied 
the other. 

“Just like you seemed to believe we might 
have a sudden call for service, ” went on Andy. 

“Hardly that,” Frank sent back over his 
shoulder, as he dove inside the building, “you 
know my maxim is to be ready always, for you 
never know when the emergency is going to 
jump out at you. These things nearly always 
drop down like a bolt of lightning from a clear 
sky.” 

“That’s right, Frank. But there’s nothing 
wrong here, is there?” 

“Doesn’t seem to be,” and Frank, who had 
hurriedly moved about from one side of the 
aeroplane to the other, sighed with relief, and 
so loud that Andy heard him. 

“But you were afraid there might be, own 
up now, Frank?” he exlaimed, quickly. 

“Well, I didn’t know but that Jose might 
have made his way in here last night and 
damaged the biplane. He sure would if he’d 
known how we could use it to chase after him, 
five times as fast as he could go on his pony. 
You know how easy it is to put such a thing 
out of commission, Andy. And Jose must 


THE AEROPLANE PURSUIT 191 


have been prowling about here while we were 
asleep. ” 

“Wonder how it was Tige didn’t scent 
him, and give him a chase?” remarked Andy, 
referring to the faithful watch dog that as a 
usual thing, played the part of sentinel over 
the ranch house, when the night grew old, and 
every inmate slept. 

“Which reminds me that we haven’t seen 
the old fellow this morning, Andy.” 

“Great governor! that’s a fact!” exclaimed 
the other, excitedly. “Say, I wouldn’t put 
it past that yellow-faced Mexican kidnapper 
to poison poor old Tige. When they come to 
look, chances are they’ll find him lying stiff 
in his kennel.” 

“But we’ve got no time to talk that over 
now, Andy,” said the other. “Lend a hand 
and we’ll trundle the thing out to the starting 
place. Plenty of gasolene aboard, you know, 
because I filled the reserve tank yesterday, 
thank goodness. Here comes Mrs. Ogden with 
a package in her hand.” 

“Bet you I know what she’s got!” exclaimed 
Andy; “thinks we might get lost somewhere 
out on the desert, and she’s made us up a lot 
of grub to carry along. Wait till I look and 
see if there’s plenty of water in that jug I 


192 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


fixed to the back of the seat. Yes, brimful, 
I’ll tie the guns here. Wait for me just three 
minutes, won’t you, Frank? I’m going back 
to the house.” 

“What notion have you got in your head 
now, Andy?” demanded the other a little im- 
patiently. 

“We ought to have the glasses, you know,” 
came back to him. 

“You’re right, and it was a good thing you 
thought of them,” called Frank, only too well 
pleased to commend his chum for a thing of this 
kind. 

Andy fairly ran at top speed toward the 
house, and plunged in through the open door, 
not wanting to waste a second more than could 
be helped. He was back again at the hangar 
before the time allowance he had given himself 
had expired; and so on arriving found that 
Frank had made all other preparation neces- 
sary, so that there was now nothing to prevent 
their immediate start. 

“Oh! how I will pray that you get back our 
little darling safe and unharmed!” the house- 
keeper called out to them, as they were taking 
their places. 

“Tell Mr. Witherspoon when you see him 
that we mean to do everything we can to bring 


THE AEROPLANE PURSUIT 193 


little Becky back home, ,, Frank said, as his 
last words. 

“And look up poor old Tige,” called Andy, 
“just as like as not you’ll have to bury him, 
because he must be dead; or else chased after 
the boys last night. ” 

Frank gave the word; each of them had a part 
to do in the successful starting of the aeroplane; 
as the little motor burst into a merry song they 
found themselves commencing to move slowly 
along the level ground. Faster and faster grew 
the pace until Frank, deeming that the time 
had come to mount upward, changed the planes, 
and immediately the clever flier left the ground, 
rising gradually until he felt able to increase the 
speed, and climb upward in spirals. 

The first thing that seemed advisable in 
Frank’s mind was to get some sort of bird’s-eye 
view of the surrounding country. 

Of course he and Andy had done considerable 
moving about in all directions since first coming 
to Arizona, so that Frank already had a pretty 
fair knowledge of the vicinity. But with the 
glasses to help out, he hoped to be in a position 
to discover several things. 

“Get busy, Andy, and see what you can 
glimpse,” he remarked, after they had sue- 


194 BIRD BOYS' AEROPLANE WONDER 


ceeded in mounting upward to a considerable 
distance. 

“I've already sighted Charley Woo,” replied 
the other. 

“I hope then he's going right along,” re- 
marked Frank, anxiously, for his attention had 
to be confined almost exclusively to the working 
of the aeroplane, and on this account he must 
depend on his chum to tell him what was hap- 
pening. 

“Oh!” Andy hastened to reply, “he's still 
hanging to Joe's cayuse like a flea, and as far 
as I can see, whooping it up at the liveliest 
pace ever. But I'm looking away beyond him 
to find out if I can see the boys.” 

“Well, how about it?” asked the other. 

“Wait till we swing around again, and I'll 
tell you.” 

They were by now high enough to afford 
quite an extended view in every direction. 
Frank's eyes had sought the south whenever 
he had a chance to take them for a second or 
two from his work; but Andy was leveling the 
glasses in almost an opposite quarter. 

“ There ! I ' ve just glimpsed a lot of small ob- 
jects moving this way and that,” he announced 
suddenly, “ which I take it are cattle, with the 
punchers rushing them wherever they want. 


THE AEROPLANE PURSUIT 1 35 


But they’re a whole heap of miles away, Frank. 
Guess they see us by now, and expect we’re go- 
ing to sail up that way. Perhaps they’ll won- 
der to watch us turn right around and go off 
to the south. Is it really necessary, Frank? 
Couldn ’t we run up there and let them know?” 

“What would be the use?” returned his cous- 
in. “They could never catch Jose, mounted 
on their ponies, and him with all that start. 
Why, I’m only afraid he’ll be able to cross over 
into Mexico before we get up with him, for all 
our swiftness with our humming motor. And 
minutes are apt to count big in this game, 
Andy, so I say we’d better not lose any time 
running over there, and then going down to let 
them know what’s happened. Charley Woo is 
on the job, and he’ll get there sooner or later 
with the news.” 

And so Andy said nothing more along those 
lines. 


196 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


CHAPTER XIX 

OYER PLAIN AND DESERT 

“I think we he high enough up now!” ob- 
served Frank, presently. 

He no longer sent the biplane in widening 
circles, boring steadily upwards; but turned 
toward the south and pushed for speed, as far 
as was compatible with safety, which was al- 
ways Frank’s way. 

And Andy seemed to have now lost all in- 
terest in what lay behind, for he was looking 
ahead through the glasses, as though in the 
hope of discovering the kidnapper of little 
Becky somewhere in the hazy distance. 

It was still comparatively early in the morn- 
ing, and in places there lay an odd sort of mist 
that may have been a mirage, obscuring the 
view, since the earth was hidden in its whitish 
folds. 

Away beyond these spots did Andy turn his 
marine glasses. Now he saw something moving 
that at first gave him a little shock; but on 
second inspection it turned out to be a sailing 
buzzard, evidently scenting some carrion in a 
bunch of sage brush, that gave promise of 


OVER PLAIN AND DESERT 


197 


dinner, since it was close to the earth at the 
time. 

A minute later and Andy had another start, 
as once more he believed he had discovered an 
object that certainly crawled over the ground- 
Could it be some wounded man, or one who was 
perishing for a drink of water, in that arid land 
bordering the desert? 

But hardly had this thought occurred to 
Andy than he realized his mistake; for he now 
saw that it was only a cowardly coyote, shuffling 
along as though ashamed to be caught returning 
to his den at such an hour of the morning, after 
an all night feast, perhaps. 

Down below them they could see the plain 
which formed a part of Double X Ranch. It 
looked like a great checkerboard, on account of 
the different colors of the soil, which stood out 
in relief when one was directly above. Had 
there been any water there they could have 
seen to the very bottom, even though it were 
twenty feet deep, such is the advantage which 
this lofty position gives. No wonder, thought 
Andy, that the hawk is able to pick out just 
the fish he wants for his dinner, and then finds 
it so easy to pounce down upon the unfortunate 
thus selected. 

Frank was listening to the buzz of the motor. 


188 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


Whenever they were thus humming alongthrough 
space this was his favorite occupation. And 
indeed, when one stops to consider how much 
depended on the successful operation of that 
same industrious engine, he could be easily 
excused for taking such intense interest in its 
labors. Let it suddenly get out of condition 
and it would bring the daring young aviators 
face to face with a crisis that might threaten 
even their lives. Deprived of the means of 
making progress would necessitate a volplane 
toward the ground, always a dangerous per- 
formance and one that should only be attempted 
when the conditions are all favorable, or some 
desperate need arises. 

Turn whichever way Andy would nothing but 
disappointment seemed to meet him; and being 
pretty much an impulsive boy, perhaps it was 
only natural that he should voice his disgust. 

“ Oh ! I wouldn ’t give that any worry, ” Frank 
told him. “If Jose has had as much time as 
we think, he must be away ahead of the line 
of your observation just now, especially on 
account of all that haze along the horizon. ” 

“But if we can’t see him, how are we to 
know that we’re keeping in a direct line after 
him?” demanded the one who wielded the 
glasses. 


OVER PLAIN AND DESERT 199 


“We can only take our chances,” Frank 
answered, steadily, as though he did not mean 
to be ruffled so early in the game, when so 
many things remained untried, any one of 
which might sooner or later prove to be the 
magic key, fated to unlock the treasure chest. 

“And just keep on heading south, is that 
it, Frank? ” 

“Exactly so, Andy. We’re about dead sure 
that it’s Jose who carried away Little Sun- 
beam; and knowing that, we can figure he’s 
sure to make a bee line for the nearest place 
where the border comes. So I’m shaping our 
course for that same region myself. And when 
we get there, perhaps wee’ll find we’ve been left 
in the lurch and that his fast ponies have won 
the day.” 

“And what then, Frank; would we have to 
turn around and come back like a dog with 
his tail between his legs, just because the kid- 
napper managed to quit American soil, and get 
on that belonging to Mexico? As for me, I’d 
be willing to give him the merry chase right 
down along the line till we landed in Mexico 
City, or else in a Black Hole in some town on 
the way.” 

“I feel pretty much the same way, Andy; 
but first of all, you see, we’ve just got to find 


200 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


out where the man and child are. So keep on 
looking while I drive her along a little faster. 
I think we can stand another turn, with this 
light and favorable breeze carrying us with it. ” 

For several minutes no one said a single word. 
Frank was busy with his motor, while Andy 
had his eyes fairly glued to the small end of the 
glasses, as though he kept hoping that he would 
make a pleasing discovery the very next minute. 

Now even the ranch building would be found 
to look very small and far to their rear, did 
they bother glancing back that way, which, to 
tell the truth, neither of them did. 

And at the same time the rough country came 
closer, until one could see where the fertile plain 
really ended, and the sandy desert began. 

Unless one made a very wide detour it was 
absolutely necessary to cross over this arid 
waste in order to reach the Mexican border. 
Frank had been figuring it all out. He believed 
that Jose, being a bold and audacious man, 
would not think of taking the longer route. 
In the first place that course was apt to keep 
him exposed to the hot pursuit which he knew 
he could count on as the result of his audacious 
exploit. And doubtless Jose was fully aware 
of the reputation those hard riding cow punchers 
connected with the Double X Ranch had as 


OVER PLAIN AND DESERT 20! 


trackers and fighters too, on occasion. What 
they had done to the Mexican cattle rustlers 
must have made a reputation for them across 
the border; so that Jose knew what chances 
he was taking when he started in to steal his 
daughter, which the court had given over into 
the keeping of her relative, Mr. Witherspoon. 

And Andy was not a great while in making 
the discovery that they were now approaching 
the confines of that sandy region where the sun 
beat pitilessly down all through the livelong 
hours of the day, and the heat must be terrific. 

Up where they were they could feel nothing 
of the earth’s radiation, and doubtless it would 
be delightfully cool. 

Beyond as far as the eye could reach, it held, 
that same glaring stretch of glistening sand, on 
the surface of which toward noon it would be 
easily possible to fry an egg; indeed Andy had 
actually done the same on a previous visit, when 
they dropped down to discover how it felt to be 
adrift in the midst of a desert, he having been 
put up to the game through words spoken by 
Buckskin. 

Far away to the west he saw the tops of high 
mountains, but they must have been scores 
of miles off. Between doubtless lay the desert, 
with perhaps a stretch of the plain where the 


202 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


grass grew, arid even flowers could be found in 
their season, all the difference being brought 
about by the presence of earth in the one case 
and nothing but sand in the other. 

On this waste nothing seemed to grow save 
the cactus that stood up like giant sentinels 
guarding the cemetery of centuries. Here and 
there one could find the skulls and bones of 
unfortunate animals that had become lost in 
the sand storms occasionally blowing over this 
heated stretch, to perish miserably from suffo- 
cation or else subsequent thirst. 

Straining his eyes Andy kept on looking, al- 
ways hoping that the very next minute might 
result in a pleasing discovery. If the glare 
caused his eyes to burn he paid little attention 
to that discomfort. All the while he was think- 
ing how terrible it would be if they had, after 
all, made a mistake in figuring out the probable 
way Jose would take in trying to escape the 
penalty of his cruel deed. Should he have 
turned aside, and continued to avoid the 
desert, all their work would go for nothing. 

Still, Andy had the utmost confidence in his 
chum’s ability to grapple with a question like 
this. He felt that Frank must know just about 
what would be passing in the mind of the man 
they were hunting. Frank had a faculty for 


OVER PLAIN AND DESERT 203 


putting himself in another’s place, and figuring 
things out from that standpoint. 

And then there was another comforting 
thought that came to Andy. Supposing the 
fugitive had done this same thing, he could not 
reach the border under several days, since the 
desert was extensive; and surely there would 
be a good chance of the hard-riding cowboys 
coming up on him meanwhile. 

They would of course follow directly on his 
trail, their practiced eyes picking it out of the 
many that crossed the level stretch to the 
south of the ranch buildings. And like blood- 
hounds on the scent, once they had started, 
they would keep it up to the end. 

As the aeroplane pushed on, and neared 
the border of the desert, so plainly marked 
below, Andy gave an ejaculation that caused 
Frank to look expectant. 

“A pony, Frank, yes, two of them feeding 
there, and without saddle or bridle to show that 
they have been ridden. Whatever can that 
mean?” he called out, so as to be heard above 
the humming of the motor. 

“1 think I can guess,” replied the other, 
quickly. “This has been a deep-laid scheme, 
and no sudden fancy, Jose has made all sorts 
of preparations for carrying it out with success. 


204 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


He knows that perhaps his life would pay the 
penalty for any failure. So, you see, Andy, 
chances are, he left two fresh ponies staked 
out here and ready for use when he came along 
after riding the others for these twenty or more 
miles. A quick change of saddles and bridles, 
and then he and the little girl were away again, 
this time striking out straight across the sand, 
and headed for the nearest point of the Mexican 
border. ” 

“That sounds like you had guessed it first 
pop out of the bottle, Frank,” the other went 
on to say, “and if it's so, then we’re bound to 
come up on him before long. ” 

Andy once more started to glue his eyes to 
the end of the field glasses. Carefully did he 
scrutinize every object he could pick out along 
the horizon ahead. If he had any idea that 
it moved, he would stop in his shifting move- 
ment to concentrate his gaze long and earnestly 
upon that one spot; but only to give a grunt 
of bitter disappointment, and once more con- 
tinue to scan the waste of sand beyond. 

So it went on for some time. The minutes 
must have seemed unduly long to the ever 
anxious lad. Frank, more inclined to take 
things as they came, always hoping for the best, 
was better able to control his emotions. 


OVER PLAIN AND DESERT 205 


It had perhaps been twenty minutes since they 
reached the border of the desert, and now on 
all sides they could see actually nothing but 
that same dead glare of the burning sun beating 
on the absorbing sand. 

Frank was himself thinking that they must 
have reached the limit of distance which the 
fugitive could have covered, even though he 
had a fresh relay of ponies to help him along; 
when once again he heard his cousin give ut- 
terance to that bubbling little cry that seemed 
to announce a fresh discovery. 


206 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


CHAPTER XX 

WHAT ANDY SAW FROM ALOFT 

“No false alarm this time, eh, Andy?” asked 
Frank, quickly 

“I think not,” came the ready response. 

“Ponies again?” queried the pilot, as he 
steadied the quivering biplane by a little move- 
ment that had become second nature with both 
young aviators; just as a boy rider on a bicycle 
unconsciously bends his body at just the 
proper angle when about to whirl around a curve 
in the road. 

“Yes,” the other replied. 

“And riders too, this time, I hope?” Frank 
went on. 

“I’m dead sure of it, because there are two 
horses, and they’re running along side by side, 
Frank. ” 

“That looks more like it; and I want to say 
it’s about time we struck some good warm 
scent about now. That Jose had been going 
at a mad pace ever since the start, and the poor 
little girl, how I pity her, Andy.” 

“But however in the wide world d’ye suppose 
she could stick on a pony through it all?” 
the boy with the glasses asked, wonder in his 


WHAT ANDY SAW FROM ALOFT 207 


voice, as he continued to keep watch upon the 
far distant moving objects which he had dis- 
covered, thanks to the magnifying qualities 
of the powerful lens. 

“Oh! there’s only one answer to that, my 
boy,” answered Frank. “Jose must have tied 
her to the pony. And even at that I feel 
mighty sorry for the little thing, for it must 
have been a terrible run, all these hours.” 

“The inhuman scoundrel!” growled Andy, 
almost savagely. “I’d just like to see him get 
what’s coming to him, if the boys ever lay 
hands on him.” 

“Well,” observed Frank, “I wouldn’t say 
that, until we find out how Becky’s stood the 
long ride. If he’s been cruel to her besides, 
then I’d be inclined to say what you did; but 
there’s always the chance that the man really 
wants to have possession of his own child; for 
he’s her father, we’ve got to remember.” 

“Yes, but think of all we’ve heard from the 
boys at the ranch about how badly he treated 
Mr. Witherspoon’s niece, after running away 
with her, and marrying her. You needn’t tell 
me, Frank, that such a man is going to care 
anything for his own child. Like enough he 
hates Becky, just because she looks like the 
wife he treated so bad. And I’m ready to 


208 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


believe he’s doing this right now, not to get po- 
session of his own, but to strike a blow at Uncle 
Jethro, because he hates him so. ” 

“I’m not saying that it isn’t so, because all 
things point that way,” Frank continued. 
“But how are we coming on now, Andy?” 

“Drawing up on them by degrees; but I 
notice that you’ve cut off more’n a little power, 
Frank, and that we’re not rushing along as 
fast as we were. Tell me, what have you done 
that for?” 

“Well, you see, now that we’ve sighted our 
game there’s no need of rushing things at race- 
horse speed. We’d better go along a little 
slower, and try to get the lay of things in our 
minds before we drop down, and surprise Mr. 
Jose Sandero,” was the way the aeroplane pilot 
made reply. 

There was little of the haphazard about Frank. 
As a general rule he had a reason for everything 
he did; and each move was carefully considered 
beforehand. 

Not that he could not do things with light- 
ning-like rapidity when there was actual need 
for haste, because he had frequently surprised 
even quick moving Andy on occasions; but 
the chances were he had thought out all the 


WHAT ANDY SAW FROM ALOFT 209 


results of the action before the occasion for it 
came about. 

And the beauty of the relationship between 
the two Bird boys lay in this fact, that Andy 
recognized his cousin’s superiority of judgment, 
and rarely, if ever, questioned his decision. 

This did not mean that Andy was merely 
an “echo,” for that would be a wrong view to 
take of the case; he had a mind of his own, and 
often Frank was only too glad to ask his advice 
when a little in doubt himself. But when two 
fellows keep company a long time as chums, 
they gradually come to know each other “from 
the ground up,” as Andy would express it; 
and one of them just naturally forges a little 
to the front as the leader. 

In the case of the Bird boys it happened to 
be Frank, that was all. 

As they kept on advancing after the moving 
figures, Andy would from time to time con- 
tinue to make some remark, as he looked 
through the glasses; so that in this way Frank 
was posted on how things were going. 

Even though he cast an occasional glance 
ahead on his own account, as yet he had not 
been able to exactly locate the fugitives. This 
might partly be on account of the smallness 
of two ponies at such a distance; and then 


210 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


again the glare of the sun, far up in the heavens, 
in spite of the early hour, was very strong on 
the desert sand. 

There was one thing that Frank was pretty 
positive about; he believed that the fugitive 
Mexican could hardly as yet have discovered 
what was coming after him. To his naked eye 
the aeroplane would hardly be noticed at all; 
or if it did accidentally catch his attention, he 
would believe that it was merely some buzzard, 
or perhaps a great bald eagle floating in space 
far up in the blue expanse of sky. 

If he looked back at all he would be more apt 
to confine his anxious gaze to the level horizon, 
for it would be there an enemy was apt to appear; 
no sane man could dream of an attack from 
above, since aeroplanes have not yet become so 
common as to be recognized by everyone. 

And so the pursuit went on. 

Andy seemed deeply engrossed in his busi- 
ness of “keeping tab” on the movements of 
those so far in front. 

Presently he began to notice that Frank was 
doing something to effect a change in their 
relative positions. 

“Are you going down now?” Andy demanded 
a little fearfully, as though he could not under- 
stand why such a move should be in order. 


WHAT ANDY SAW FROM ALOFT 21 1 


“Better now, than later on,” returned the 
pilot. “We’re too high up to be able to make 
any sort of landing when we want to. Be- 
sides now that you’ve got track of Jose, there’s 
really no need of keeping to this high elevation. ” 

“Then after you bring the biplane down to a 
lower level, we can just rush things, if we think 
it best, is that it, Frank?” 

“My notion to a dot, Andy.” 

They were already circling around, so as to 
descend in the safer “spirals.” Frank would 
not take the great risk of volplaning when the 
other way answered just as well, and at one- 
tenth the chance of accident. 

Andy managed to keep his eyes on the distant 
ponies pretty much all the time the aeroplane 
was dropping in those immense circles, each 
one lower in the grand spiral than the preceding 
one. 

“They’re gaining some on us, Frank!” he 
finally announced, regretfully, as if he just 
could not bear the thought. 

“Oh! that’s a mere nothing,” declared his 
cousin, cheerfully; “and I wouldn’t bother 
my head over it, if I were you, Andy. Why, 
when we get to where I want to go, all I’ve 
got to do is to put on speed, and we’ll make 
that up in three shakes of a lamb’s tail. What 


2 1 2 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


are two or three miles to a wonder of the air 
that can, if hard pushed, clip along at the rate 
of a hundred an hour, and perhaps that is far 
from the capacity of a reliable biplane with a 
favorable wind.” 

As usual Frank managed to cheer his chum up 
immediately. 

“Sure, you ’ re about right, Frank, and I 
was silly to let it bother me. But seems as if 
we ought to be down nearly far enough. If 
there were any trees here we’d be only a couple 
of hundred feet or so above their tops. And 
whew! Frank, I can feel the heat of that desert 
easy enough now, even while we’re moving 
along like we are.” 

“It’s all over now, and I don’t mean to go 
down any further. Tell me if you can still 
see Jose and the little girl, Andy?” 

“Yes, I can see the ponies moving like crabs 
away off there; and I’m taking it for granted 
that the ones we’re chasing after are mounted 
on the same, Frank. Oh! wouldn’t it be a 
terrible disappointment now, if after we got 
up close we found we’d been bamboozled, and 
that these were only a couple of Indians, or 
Mexicans going back home after trading in 
some American town?” 

“There’s always a little chance that way,” 


WHAT ANDY SAW FROM ALOFT 213 


Frank admitted, “but all the same I don’t 
believe we ’re going to be disappointed . Traders 
would hardly strike across this desert, you under- 
stand. It’s a bad place to get lost in, and 
mighty unpleasant traveling at the best. Few 
people cross it, they said at the ranch. Once in 
a while some Indians wander down here from 
their reservation in the northern end of the 
State. You know the Navajos used to be in 
this region, and the Comanches too, I was fold, 
before the Government rounded them up, and 
gave them lands up there, besides paying them 
a big sum every year in money and supplies. ” 

“I wonder ” began Andy, and then 

stopped, while he screwed his eyes still closer 
to the ends of the twin tubes of the marine 
glasses. 

“What’s the matter now?” asked Frank, 
realizing that in all probability Andy had made 
some fresh discovery. 

“Frank, there’s sure something moving over 
beyond where Jose and Becky are plodding 
along. I can see several dots, and they have 
life to them, too! It looks for all the world 
to me a>s if a pack of wolves might be lying in 
wait for the ponies — half starved wolves may- 
be, crazy for a chance to pull them down, and 
make a meal.” 


214 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


“Wolves,” repeated the other, thoughtfully; 
“it would be hard for me to believe such animals 
would ever be found in the middle of this 
sandy desert, where they’d never find a bite of 
food in a year, and not a drop of water. You 
must be mistaken, Andy; look again, won’t 
you, please?” 

Nevertheless the suggestion appeared to in- 
fluence Frank so that he again sent the aero- 
plane ahead at full speed; and Andy had a 
little difficulty in keeping his glasses steady 
when leveling them, such was the constant 
vibration of the uprights, under the full force of 
the powerful little Kinkaid engine. 

But it was so much in sympathy with his own 
desire to get ahead that Andy was willing to 
put up with almost any trouble. He knew in- 
stinctively from the feel of the biplane that 
they were now speeding. 

A minute later, and he gave another excla- 
mation. 

“Frank, I saw something flash just then; 
and as sure as you live I believe it must have 
been the sunlight glistening on steel, just like 
it might be a gun barrel or a knife!” 

“Do you mean that you saw it ahead of 
Jose, and among the crawling objects you 
thought were wolves?” demanded the other. 


WHAT ANDY SAW FROM ALOFT 2S5 


“Yes, yes, there it is again, Frank!” 

“Well, that settles one thing then — -they he 
hardly wolves, Andy; for I never yet heard of 
such animals carrying either guns or knives 
did you?” 

“They he spreading out, Frank, just like they 
were lying in wait for Jose. And while it looks 
queer from up here why doesn’t he discover 
them, I suppose that’s because they’re hiding 
behind some sand hills,” Andy went on to say. 

“But you don’t think any longer that they 
can be be wolves, do you, Andy?” 

“Not much,” the other replied. “We’re 
getting closer all the time, and now I can see 
that they must be walking on two legs; though 
for that matter they seem to be sprawled out 
pretty much all of the time, like great toads, 
hopping this way and that. And Jose, he 
don’t know what’s waiting for him, not one 
little bit.” 

“Then he’s still going on, is he?” asked 
Frank. 

“Yes, and now I can see that each pony has 
a rider; why, Frank, we’re bearing down on 
them so fast that I can tell Jose from little 
Becky. It’s her, all right, Frank. Don’t I 
see her hair flying out behind as she rides. Oh! 
the meaness of that skunk making that little 


216 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


child gallop across this red-hot desert, just to 
save himself from being caught by our boys.” 

“ Well, you could hardly blame him for that, ” 
Frank went on to say, with a touch of humor 
in his voice, “ because what a bunch of furious 
cow punchers wouldn ’t do to him you could say 
in one breath. But tell me, how does it look 
now?” 

“ They ’re getting mighty close to where the 
men are waiting, Frank. Whoever do you 
suppose they can be?” 

“We’ve heard a lot about that Mexican 
cattle rustler, Carlos, since we’ve come to the 
ranch; perhaps, now, these may be some of his 
crowd. They’ve got no love for the Double 
X Ranch boys, you remember; and if they think 
Jose and the child belong there, it’s going to go 
hard with them. But you see we don’t know 
all about it yet. Take a closer look, Andy.” 

“Yes, I’ve got the lot in focus,” muttered 
the other. 

“Do you see any feathers about them — ex- 
amine their heads, and tell me,” Frank went 
on to say. 

“Feathers!” ejaculated Andy, in astonish- 
ment, “why what in the wide world would — say, 
Frank, do you have an idea that they may be 
Indians?” 


WHAT ANDY SAW FROM ALOFT 217 


“Well, I heard your uncle say that once in a 
while they’ve seen a squad of the reds down this 
way, sort of escaped from their reservation, 
and trying to see how it feels to be wild again. 
How about those feathers, Andy?” 

“Why, there does seem to be something 
quoer about the heads of those chaps, I give 
you my word there is, Frank. Honest now, 
I believe you’ve struck it right, and that they 
are Indians, but Frank, would they hold Jose 
up, and perhaps take his scalp, just like in the 
old days?” 

“If so be they’ve been indulging in too much 
firewater. I wouldn ’t put even that past 
them,” the other boy answered, soberly. 

“Well,” added Andy, with a shutting of his 
teeth; “I’m glad of one thing, then.” 

“What’s that?” questioned the other. 

“That we brought our bully old Marlins 
along, Frank!” was the quick response Andy 
made. 


218 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


CHAPTER XXI 

THE TERROR OF THE AIR 

* Perhaps you’d better be getting the guns 
loose, Andy,” suggested Frank, in his quiet 
Way. 

“You bet I will, and only too glad of the 
chance; but can you hold yours while you 
steer; or shall I fix it, so you can grab it up 
the very second you land the biplane on the 
sand?” Andy asked, as he let the glasses hang 
by their strap, and with hands that doubtless 
trembled more than a little, he proceeded to 
unfasten the two repeating Marlins with which 
so much execution had been done on the oc- 
casion of the grizzly bear hunt. 

“ Better lay it in the crotch you made for 
me, where I can get it in a hurry when my 
hands axe free,” the pilot explained. 

By the time all this had been done they were 
of course much closer to the scene of the expected 
trouble. And when Andy again picked up the 
glasses, and clapped them to his eyes, he uttered 
new exclamations that indicated excitement. 

“It’s coming, Frank!” he exclaimed. 

“You mean the attack, Andy?” 

“Yes, because now Jose seems to have be- 


THE TERROR OF THE AIR 219 


come suddenly suspicious. There, I can see 
him jump off his pony, and he’s doing something 
with Becky. As sure as anything, Frank, I do 
believe he’s cutting the strap that’s held the 
child to the saddle. That looks like he expects 
trouble, don’t it?” 

“I should say yes,” replied Frank, shortly. 

“Hark! did you hear that?” suddenly de- 
manded Andy. 

“ I thought I caught a faint sound like a shot, ” 
replied the other. 

“That was just what it was, Frank. I saw 
the smoke long before we got the crack of the 
gun.” 

“Who fired?” demanded Frank. 

“One of those concealed Indians; and there 
goes another, and yet a third shot! Oh! Frank 
what if they should hit poor little Becky, the 
half-drunken scamps, trying to believe these 
are the good old days when they chased white 
men across the plains. Just listen to the shots 
would you, Frank?” 

Andy was fairly quivering with the nervous 
tension. What made it doubly hard was the 
fact that while he could see these exciting 
things so easily through the powerful lens of the 
glasses, yet they were still far away from the 
scene of action and unable to raise a hand as 


220 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


yet to render any assistance, should such be 
needed. 

“What is Jose doing now?” asked Frank. 

“Oh! one of the ponies seems to be down, 
and for the life of me I can’t tell you whether 
it was shot, or has laid down like some of those 
cow ponies are taught to do, Frank. There 
goes the other one the same way. And now 
Jose has pulled the little girl down with him. 
They’re out of sight behind the bodies of the 
ponies, I do believe, Frank!” 

“Bully for Jose, then; he sure knows how to 
stand the Indians off!” exclaimed Frank; and 
for the time being Andy seemed to forget that 
just a minute or two back he had been declaring 
that the same Jose deserved the worst punish- 
ment the cow-punchers from the Double X 
Ranch could deal out to him, for he almost 
echoed the words of his chum. 

“Good! good! he’s opened fire, too, for I 
can see the puff of smoke each time he pulls 
trigger. Oh! Frank!” 

“Well, what now?” demanded the other, a 
little impatiently, as Andy paused after giving 
that last exclamation that might stand for 
almost anything. 

“He hit one of the Indians that time, as 


THE TERROR OF THE AIR 221 


sure as anything!” Andy declared, with a ring 
of delight in his voice. 

“What makes you think so?” demanded 
Frank. 

“Didn’t I see him turn a flop, though; and 
right now he’s holding his leg like fun! Guess 
he got a puncture in his tire, all right, Frank. 
After all, that Jose can shoot some, let me tell 
you. There, I do believe he’s gone and done 
it again!” 

“What! hit another Indian, Andy?” 

“W T ell, I c’n see a second fellow rolling over 
and over; and now he sits up and it looks like 
he’s examining his arm. Perhaps they’re be- 
ginning to learn that it ain ’t all one sided after 
all, this stopping a mounted man, and trying 
some of the old tricks. Mebbe they’ll want to 
clear out now, Frank?” 

“That wouldn’t be like Indian nature, from 
what they’ve been telling me since we came 
here,” Frank went on to say. “They’re all as 
obstinate as they make them; and the chances 
are, these fellows will just be more bent on shoot- 
ing Jose up than ever, if, as you say, he’s al- 
ready pinked a couple of their men.” 

“Well, they don’t seem to be clearing out 
that I can notice, and that’s a fact,” Andy ad- 
mitted immediately afterward. 


222 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


Frank could himself hear the reports of guns 
being discharged, and they came so thick and 
fast that he could almost imagine a battle was 
being fought between large numbers of ene- 
mies on either side. Evidently the Indians 
were flush with ammunition, and did not hesi- 
tate to use it plentifully. The White Father 
in Washington would supply them with plenty 
more when this was gone; or at any rate the 
hard cash with which to purchase the same. 
And they were just as prodigal in wasting cart- 
ridges as so many half -grown and irresponsible 
boys might have been. 

For the number of shots that kept ringing 
out, the amount of damage done must have 
been remarkably small, from the accounts Andy 
kept giving him. 

The Indians were creeping along wherever 
they could find protection by way of the sand 
dunes | and the watcher in the air declared that 
he believed they meant to completely surround 
the man at bay, when doubtless they could pour 
in such a hot fire that he would either have to 
surrender, or else be wiped out. 

It was a pretty exciting time for the two 
young aviators while they were thus speeding 
toward the scene of the desert warfare. The 
biplane was doing its level best, and yet so im- 


THE TERROR OF THE AIR 223 


patient was Andy to arrive before the Indians 
had succeeded in accomplishing their terrible 
work that it seemed to him they were fairly 
crawling along. 

“Oh! can't we go faster, Frank?" he begged 
more than once. 

“We're doing the limit right now," Frank 
would answer. 

“I suppose so, Frank, but don't you know it 
seems like we'd never get there at this pace," 
Andy would go on to say. 

“Keep cool," was the advice of the other. 

“I'm trying as hard as I can to do that, but 
it makes me shiver all over when I think of poor 
little Becky being exposed to that shooting," 
said Andy, between his clinched teeth. 

“Well, let's hope Jose has been merciful 
enough to keep her lying flat on the ground 
behind the ponies. They must be dead, Andy, 
because with all that lead flying around no 
cayuse would ever consent to lie still, wounded 
perhaps at that. And their bodies would pro- 
tect the child, even if they didn 't do the same 
altogether for the man. Is he still shooting?" 

“I haven't noticed a puff of smoke over 
the spot for some time — but there, I did get 
a glimpse of one just then; and Frank, believe 
me, he must have done it again, because I can 


224 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


see several of the others crawling toward one 
that seems to be kicking on the ground. There, 
they’re helping him away. Let me tell you 
that same Jose is no slouch when it comes to 
using a gun. He must have had a lot of prac- 
tice in the revolutions they have every little 
while down in Mexico since Diaz was kicked 
out. I take off my hat to Jose when it comes to 
knocking chips off the shoulders of half-drunken 
reds.” 

And this was the same Jose whom Andy had 
been saying such hard things against only a 
short time before; but then circumstances alter 
cases; and right now Jose was risking his life 
in defense of the little girl whom he had for 
some Reason kidnapped from her home. 

When they had been observing these things 
some time back they may have been as much as 
ten miles away from the scene of spirited ac- 
tion; but as the biplane was spinning along at 
a tremendous pace, in spite of the belief of 
Andy that it did not seem to be doing its best, 
this distance was being rapidly diminished. 

Whenever the shots came now they were 
plainly heard, as the air seemed to be directly 
in the faces of the aeroplane boys while thus 
heading into the south. 

And Andy also noticed that they kept grad- 


THE TERROR OF THE AIR 225 


ually sinking just a little lower as they proceeded. 
Had he been able to allow himself time to think 
this over, he must have guessed why Frank was 
doing this; and that he wanted to avoid being 
discovered by the Indians until he could sud- 
denly burst upon their vision in a terrifying 
apparition, frightening them so badly that 
they would only think of making a hasty flight. 

Well, things were going on at such a pace 
now that whatever the outcome might prove 
to be, it would soon be over. In a couple of 
minutes at most the oncoming air wonder must 
have arrived so close to the scene of the dis- 
turbance that its presence could no longer 
be concealed from the sharp eyes of the Indians. 
Some warrior whose eyesight had not been so 
seriously impaired by the strong drink he had 
purchased from some bootlegger or trader, 
would while peeping around a sand dune, sud- 
denly discover that dreadful apparition coming 
straight through the air, with an angry mutter 
that could only mean the sore displeasure of 
the Great Spirit, whose messenger this frightful 
object must be. 

And when this occurred, Frank was rather 
inclined to believe there would be a scamper 
on the part of the frolicking Indians such as 


225 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


had mot been seen on this same desert for many 
a day. 

Luckily they could depend on the stability 
of their machine; and every particular part of 
the framework had been carefully gone over 
just the preceding day by the one whose hand 
now controlled the levers by means of which 
the aeroplane was guided on its way through 
space. 

Hence, there was little likelihood of any 
accident happening. Frank did not allow the 
thought of such a thing to enter into his calcu- 
lations. He placed the fullest dependence upon 
those staunch steel guys and the faithful little 
motor that never yet had failed him in time of 
need. 

“Oh! will we ever get there? ” groaned Andy. 

“Keep cool, and hold on; we’re doing fine!” 
was Frank’s advice. 

“But I think they’re getting ready to rush 
Jose now!” the other went on to declare, with 
renewed excitement. 

“What makes you think that, Andy?” 

“They seem to have gathered in knots in three 
places, and act like they meant to make a 
swoop down on him from all sides at once,” 
came the answer. 

“Well, if they’ll only hold off another min- 


THE TERROR OF THE AIR 227 


ute or two well fix things so that their swoop 11 
turn out a fizzle. Tell me when they start out 
on the run, Andy, because I want to turn on 
our siren, you know.” 

“Oh! I clean forgot all about that little trick 
Frank!” 

Frank some time before had arranged a con- 
trivance by means of which he could make the 
engine sound a loud-voiced whistle that he al- 
ways called a siren, because it had all the harsh, 
discordant notes of the big steam fog-horns to be 
heard in some places along the stormy coasts of 
our country, where the dangerous shoals or reefs 
make it important that vessels should be warned 
while still far out at sea. 

This could be made to do duty at a second’s 
notice. Of course the boys did not often sound 
the deep-throated whistle or horn, because it 
was apt to create too much alarm in every living 
thing that heard it for the first time, animals as 
well as human beings. 

But in a desperate case such as the one by 
which they were now confronted this hoarse- 
tongued signal might prove the very finest 
auxiliary they could hope to have in alarming the 
attacking Indians. 

And here Andy, with his usual thoughtlessness 
had entirely forgotten about such a means of 


228 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


sending out a warning; while Frank had it in 
his mind all along. That little incident showed 
the difference between the two cousins; for 
with all his good qualities Andy often forgot 
things that it would have paid him well to re- 
member. 

Both of them were intensely intersted by now, 
and a study of their set faces would have been 
worth while. Andy did not depend on the 
glasses any longer to tell how things were pro- 
gressing, since they had come close enough for 
him to see with the naked eye. Of course, the 
fact that they were several hundred feet above 
the level of the sand gave considerable assist- 
ance, for they were entirely free from the little 
dazzling heat waves that must hug the face of 
the desert more and more as the day advanced, 
making seeing perfectly a difficult job. 

The seconds clicked along, each one in the 
mind of the impatient Andy being registered 
by so many loud “pops” of the exhaust, for it 
was not muffled now. 

“There, what did I tell you, Frank; listen 
to those awful yells, would you? Oh! he 
knocked one over then, I say! But the whole 
lot have started up, and beuding low down are 
sprinting in the direction of Jose as fast as they 
can go. Frank, why don’t you do something 


THE TERROR OF THE AIR 229 


before they get to him? It’s now or never, I 
tell you; just hear the guns going off with a 
rattle and a bang! Frank ” 

But Andy’s words were suddenly lost in a 
most terrific roaring sound that broke forth, 
as Frank turned on the big siren whistle or 
horn. Across the face of the desert went the 
strange sound, in a wave that would annihilate 
space. And coming to the startled ears of the 
on-rushing Indians, it must have instantly 
riveted their attention. 

Imagine their astonishment when upon raising 
their eyes for the first time they discovered 
what seemed to be a tremendous bird rushing 
through the air toward them and uttering that 
thrilling whoop, the like of which none of them 
had ever heard before. 


230 BIRD BOYS' AEROPLANE WONDER 


CHAPTER XXII ' 

THE BIRD BOYS' TRIUMPH 

The aeroplane was speeding down upon the 
spot, with that loud-throated siren going at 
full blast. Andy had been holding himself in 
so long now, that it was utterly impossible 
for him to stand it any longer; so he too let 
out a series of ear-piercing shrieks that at 
least added to the din. 

Not content with that the boy commenced 
firing his repeating Marlin. He did not bother 
trying to take any particular aim, which would 
of course have been next to impossible in the 
swaying aeroplane, any way; but only meant 
to add all he could to the tremendous din ac- 
companying their swoop. 

Frank could see all that happened, because 
they were no longer far away. No need of 
glasses either at this stage of the game. He 
could note the movements of every one of those 
who had been in the act of rushing the Mexican 
at bay when the appearance of the biplane in 
the near heavens came to put a damper on their 
enthusiasm. 

Although at first stunned by the sight that 
met their startled eyes, and the ear-splitting 


THE BIRD BOYS’ TRIUMPH 231 


sounds accompanying the same, the runaway 
Indians from the reservation had quickly re- 
membered that they still had legs. If any of 
them had been a bit wobbly before, on account 
of the potions they had been imbibing, it seemed 
to be driven from their systems by this scare, 
for they ran like prize sprinters. Even the 
several wounded warriors endeavoring to flatten 
themselves down behind the sand dunes, as 
though in hopes of being able to hide from the 
argus eyes of this wonder of the skies. 

Andy no longer had any fears concerning the 
attack, for he saw that it had been effectually 
broken up by their coming. He started to 
shout again, but found it beyond his ability, for 
the situation had resolved itself into a comical 
farce by this time in the boy’s mind, and offered 
all the humorous aspects of a great joke. 

But none of those Indians thought so, if one 
could judge from the way they were running. 
Andy had seen rabbits speeding away after the 
crack of a gun; but that was hardly in the same 
class with what those braves did that morning. 

Some of them jumped this way and that as 
they sped off; as though under the impression 
that they might thus escape the swarm of 
bullets that their imagination filled the air with, 
on hearing the crackle of Andy’s fast-shooting 


232 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


gun. Others dodged behind each succeeding 
sand hill, and then appearing beyond, continued 
their flight in eccentric curves; only glad if 
by this means they might escape the terrible 
eye of that mighty bird that came whirring along, 
letting out such hideous war cries, and assuming 
all the appearances of a dragon as pictured by 
the Chinese on their flags and everywhere. 

Frank did not attempt to alight just then; 
he believed that it was good policy to make sure 
that the hostiles had all been frightened off 
before exposing the fact that after all it was 
only two boys in some clever invention of the 
white man who had come upon the scene. 

And so, instead of heading directly for the 
spot where Jose lay behind the two ponies, 
which they now realized were surely dead, Frank 
continued to sweep around in a widening circle. 

It was worth while to see the abject terror 
of such of the Indians as they passed over. 
They would flatten themselves on the burning 
sand, as though hoping in this way to escape 
the attention of the terror that was seeking its 
prey; nor did any one of them dare to turn his 
head to look upward at the monstrous bird with 
that loud shriek. 

From a distance one or two discharged guns 
at the speeding aeroplane, but of course there 


THE BIRD BOYS’ TRIUMPH 233 


was not one chance in ten thousand of the 
bullets doing any execution while the Bird boys 
were rushing along at such a pace; indeed, they 
did not even hear the whine of the passing lead. 

Frank had his hands full taking care of the 
biplane, so that even had he desired to do so he 
could not have added anything to the racket. 
One hand controlled the lever which brought 
about the circling movement of the aeroplane, 
while with the other he kept that siren busy. 

But by now Andy had bethought him of 
another means for adding to the panic of the 
fleeing Indians. In the box just back of him 
he happened to have a number of large cannon 
firecrackers. Under ordinary conditions these 
would appear to be rather queer things to carry 
on an aeroplane; but it seemed that Andy was 
particularly interested in experimenting with 
dropping stones which he called “bombs,” 
from a great height, in order to see how aero- 
planes might be made useful in war times. And 
thinking some time to rather astonish Frank by 
sending down some of those big explosives, he 
had smuggled them aboard. 

The idea had about passed from his mind at 
this time, but suddenly remembering the big red 
crackers, he was now pulling them out, and 
feeling for some of those wind matches they al- 


234 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


ways carried when on a trip, because they could 
be used no matter what current of air they 
happened to be passing through. 

Frank did not see what his cousin was doing. 
In the first place he had enough to look after as 
it was; and then again, when he could spare a 
second, he wanted to ascertain what the Indians 
were up to. 

The first thing he knew about it was when a 
terrific report came from directly under the 
aeroplane, and close to the face of the sandy 
stretch. Immediately on top of it came a 
shriek from Andy. 

“Oh! it nearly fell on top of that Indian be- 
fore it exploded, Frank! If only you could have 
seen him go head over heels; and now he’s 
running to beat the band! Talk to me about a 
scared rabbit, these noble red men are sure the 
limit. I really believe they think the Day of 
Judgment has come along ahead of time. If 
you keep it up much longer, Frank, I ’m going 
to fall right out of my seat; I’m laughing so 
hard I just can ’t sit still. ” 

“Then perhaps it’s about time we called a 
stop on the excitement, and let the poor fellows 
get away,” said Frank. 

“No danger of them coming back again,” 
ventured Andy, as he threw his last big cannon 


THE BIRD BOYS’ TRIUMPH 235 


cracker in the quarter where he had caught 
sight of another brave trying to dig a hole in the 
sand, as though wild to cover himself up, and 
thus avoid attracting the attention of the mon- 
ster bird. 

His aim was pretty fair, since Andy had been 
practicing this thing for quite some time now. 
The explosion took place on schedule time, too; 
and with about as tremendous a result as before; 
since it sent the terrorized warrior flying off as if 
he believed the Evil Spirit were in full pursuit. 

Frank turned back. 

The coast seemed clear of Indians now, even 
the wounded braves having found some way of 
hiding from sight. Perhaps they had in de- 
spair scooped hollows out of the burning sand, 
and were even now lying under a scanty covering 
of the same, trembling in mortal terror of dis- 
covery. 

Neither of the Bird boys cared whether this 
were so or not. They had succeeded in ac- 
complishing their main object; which of course 
had been to give the assailants of Jose a severe 
scare, so as to scatter them to the four winds. 
And now the next thing they wanted to do was 
to drop to the earth, and capture the man him- 
self. 

Accordingly Frank guided the biplane to 


236 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


where he thought best to make his lauding. 
Then he proceeded to accomplish this ordinary 
feat with his accustomed ability. 

As the sand was loose and liable to clog the 
wdieels, he had to be additionally careful about 
landing. And Frank had already experimented 
in getting up again after dropping upon such a 
shifting bed, so that he knew just how it should 
be done. 

Picking out a spot which looked better than 
anything around it, he brought the aeroplane 
to the ground so softly that it almost seemed like 
a thistle-down blown by the wind, and alighting. 

The motor had ceased to whirr, and the pro- 
pellers to whizz as Andy, clutching his Marlin 
in his grasp, sprang from his seat to the sand. 

Frank was hardly three seconds behind him, 
and it might be noticed that he too held one of 
the useful guns. 

Who could tell what need they might have for 
these life preservers, when adrift in such a 
desert land, and with reckless Indians all around 
them; not to speak of the man who lay behind 
the two dead ponies, with his gun covering 
them even now. 

Frank was not taking any chances with Jose. 
He knew that the Mexican must be in a des- 
perate frame of mind, and ready to fight to the 


THE BIRD BOYS’ TRIUMPH 237 


last gasp before he would consent to yield. 
And Frank believed it strategy when it could 
be made to answer the purpose. 

What they wanted above all else just now was 
the return of little Becky to the care of her legal 
guardian. They were not appointed to wreak 
vengeance on the head of the father who had 
seen fit to steal his own child away. Besides, 
somehow, after seeing how valiantly Jose had 
held the whole band of reservation Indians at 
bay, both boys felt considerable more respect for 
the Mexican. At least he was no coward, even 
if his actions in the past had been along that 
line, Jose, like so many of his class was a bravo ) 
he could display mean traits toward women and 
children, but face half a dozen men in a brawl, 
or a fight like this, without showing the white 
feather. 

So Frank immediately held up his hand, as 
he called aloud: 

“ Halloo! Joss Andero! do not fire upon us! 
We will not do you harm if you turn over the 
child to us to take back to her home! Do you 
understand me?” 

They saw the figure of the Mexican now. 
He had scrambled to his feet to face the boys 
who had come so happily to his rescue just in time 
to save his life. Perhaps this fact was duly 


238 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


impressed upon the mind of the man from 
across the border. He owed these lads some- 
thing, and a Mexican always has an exaggerated 
sense of his own honor; it is a heritage he has 
received from his Spanish ancestors far back. 

“Si, senors,” he answered back, in a mellow 
tone, “I understand. Come closer that we 
may talk it over. I promise you I will not fire 
one shot. Carramba! it is only one that I 
have left me, after all you saw. ” 

Then they advanced until close by where the 
two dead ponies lay. One thought was in the 
minds of both Frank and his cousin — the little 
girl, how had she fared while all the bullets were 
flying through the air, sent by half drunken 
Indians who cared little where they landed. 

Jose had suffered. His left arm hung almost 
helplessly at his side, and they could see that the 
blood was dripping from his fingers; but he 
clutched his repeating gun in the right hand 
and seemed still full of the lust of battle. 

“How about the child; is she safe?” called 
Frank almost afraid to ask the question, for 
his heart seemed in his throat with the dread- 
ful suspense. 

“Surely, senors,” came the immediate reas- 
suring reply. “I saw to it that she lay flat on 
the ground where nothing could injure her. 


THE BIRD BOYS' TRIUMPH 239 


Look and see for yourselves,” and with that 
he spoke something to little Becky, so that she 
immediately sprang to her feet and stretched 
her tiny hands longingly toward the boys. 

At that both of them experienced a deep sense 
of relief. It began to look, if only Jose proved 
reasonable, that the end of their long and ardu- 
ous air chase was now in sight, and that presently 
they could proceed back to the ranch, bearing 
with them the little sprite whose abduction had 
created all this excitement. 

“We would make terms with you, Jose,” said 
Frank in a business like way. 

“I am ready to hear what you have to say, 
young senor,” came the reply. 

“You admit that our coming has probably 
saved your life?” Frank went on, thinking it 
the part of wisdom to have that point well under 
stood in the beginning. 

“Si, senor, it is true, and for that Jose is 
grateful; if it had hot been so he would not 
consent to give up the child, even if you tried 
to recover her by force. But you have done 
me a good turn, and perhaps we can make 
terms. If, then, I hand her over, will you 
agree that I go my way unmolested? ” 

“We willingly agree to that, Jose. You may 
be a bad man, but we saw you stand off those 


240 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


Indians like a brave one, and for that we re- 
spect you. Yes, we will promise not to raise 
a hand to molest you. Listen Jose, if you 
place the little girl in our hands we will promise 
to do even more than that, if so be you are 
courageous enough to trust yourself with us 
in our aeroplane. We could rise with you, and 
fly far away across the desert to where you will 
be near the border. There we can land, and 
give you a chance to save yourself from these 
Indians, who may hang around here, seeking 
revenge for the wounds you have given them.” 

That was a square offer on the part of Frank. 
Andy held his breath, wondering if the other 
would dare accept it. The same courage that 
had led Jose to face the guns of the Indians 
might not be sufficient to allow of his getting 
aboard that wonderful air bird, and let himself 
be carried up among the clouds. 

Jose was hesitating between opinions. He 
hardly knew which seemed the worse of the two. 
But one danger he could understand, while the 
other was along the line of the mysterious and 
unfathomable. 

They saw him pondering for a full minute* 
Then, as if he had made up his mind, he threw 
up his hand. 

“I will accept your offer, senor,” he said. 


THE BIRD BOYS’ TRIUMPH 241 


“A man can die but once, and what matter 
if he fall from the clouds, he may never know 
what hurts him. And if I am left here without 
without a mount, the Indians are sure to get me. 
Advance, then, senors, and fix it as you please. 
I am ready to take the word of such honorable 
young men.” 

But all the same Andy could see that he 
shuddered when he cast a glance over toward 
the quarter where the stranded biplane lay, 
as though the mere thought of allowing himself 
to be carried up in the regions of the upper cur- 
rents aboard that frail combination of engine, 
planes, and rigid uprights and stays, struck 
Jose as with a cold breath from the Arctic 
regions. 


242 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


CHAPTER XXIII 

HOME AGAIN — CONCLUSION 

Frank knew that they had better not loiter 
there. Still, he could not see Jose losing blood 
like that, when it was so easy to stop the flow. 

So, while Andy watched to see that none 
of the frightened Indians got over their scare, 
and came sneaking back, bent on potting some 
of the palefaces, Frank made a quick job of 
looking after the wounded arm of the Mexican. 

The man seemed to hardly know what to 
make of it all. He watched every move of the 
amateur doctor as though he could not under- 
stand how any one would be so generous toward 
an enemy. But Frank knew what he was 
doing, and he meant to extract a promise from 
Jose, before they left him, that never again 
would he dream of trying to do any injury 
toward either little Becky or Mr. Wither- 
spoon, her relative, and legally appointed guard- 
ian. And he believed the man would keep such 
a promise faithfully too; for Frank was a pretty 
good reader of human nature. 

Then they all walked toward the aeroplane 
that lay there on the hot sand as a camel of the 


HOME AGAIN — CONCLUSION 243 


desert might for its Arab owner, prostrate for 
his mounting. 

It was easy enough to fasten little Becky in ; 
but with the man there had to be some maneu- 
vering, because a sudden movement on his part 
would endanger them all. Jose drew a long 
breath as he took his seat, and held grimly onto 
an upright with his one well hand, his rifle 
strapped to his back meanwhile. It was as 
though he hardly expected to ever come safely 
down again * but then he had carefully counted 
the cost, and having decided his pride would 
not allow him to back out. 

Frank knew that it would be a very difficult 
task to get the biplane to travel over the sand 
at a rate of speed sufficient to allow of their 
mounting when the proper moment came; but 
he had experimented so many times, looking 
to some such contingency, that he believed he 
could surmount every trouble. 

He therefore moved the aeroplane with the 
help of the others, so that he would have the 
assistance of the slight wind that was blowing. 

Finally all was ready. 

The motor began to hum, gradually increasing 
its note as Frank turned on more power, on find- 
ing that his hopes were about to be fulfilled. 
Yes, they were actually passing along over the 


244 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


sand now; for just there it was packed more 
than in most places. Andy had held his breath 
with the suspense, figuring on how he could 
climb back if he had to go overboard to help 
push. But it was all right now, and such a 
move would not be necessary. 

When the final moment arrived, they started 
gradually upward. Frank heard Jose gasp for 
breath, and he knew the Mexican must be saying 
his prayers from the low mumble that drifted 
in at his ear; doubtless the man was almost 
stiff with fright when he dared look down, and 
saw that he was apparently as far above the 
surface of the desert as many mountain peaks 
would be. 

Frank knew what he was doing, and that if 
the man was left on the desert in his present 
wounded and weakened condition, it was just 
the same as giving him over to death, which 
might come in any one of several ways. If the 
Indians did not get him he might starve or 
die from lack of water; and then again, should 
the infuriated cow puncher band from the 
Double X Ranch come upon Jose he might 
count on a short shrift and a rope. 

After all was said and done, fortune had been 
so kind that no irreparable damage had fol- 
lowed the bold raid of Jose, unless indeed poor 


HOME AGAIN— CONCLUSION 245 


old Tige had received a dose of poison as the 
boys had feared. Little Becky seemed to have 
come through it all in very good shape, and for 
these mercies Frank felt that they had great 
reason to be thankful. 

And that was mainly why he was now carry- 
ing Jose across the balance of the desert to place 
him on the road to the near-by border, beyond 
which he undoubtedly had friends who would 
take care of him. 

Andy had not forgotten the Indians, and was 
constantly on the lookout for any signs of them. 
Whenever he did sight a skulking figure Andy 
made haste to squeeze the rubber that caused 
the siren to give tongue. Jose nearly lost his 
hold the first time he heard that fierce whoop 
so close to his ear; for of course in his nervous 
condition he thought that something had burst, 
and that they were now bound to go tunbling 
down through all that space to be splashed about 
below. 

But that lasted for only a very brief time, 
since they speedily reached a point far beyond 
where any of the fleeing Indians had gone. 
After that it was plain sailing and they made 
rapid speed. 

- Then, after they had covered many miles 
^in this fashion, with the glasses Andy was able 


246 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


to make out trees ahead, and some sort of ridge 
that doubtless marked the delimitation of the 
desert’s border. 

Nearer and nearer they drew. Jose began to 
actually consider that he still had something 
of a chance to live through it all; though the 
balance of his life he would certainly never be 
apt to forget what dreadful fears had held him 
gripped fast in their power when up in a fast- 
flying aeroplane. 

Now the keen-eyed pilot was looking for a 
likely place to land, and this he discovered 
close to the trees themselves, where the ground 
became much firmer, and Jose could immediately 
get under shelter from the broiling sun. 

After coming down from that cool altitude 
the tremendous heat of the desert was almost 
overpowering, and both boys were glad to 
know that they did not have to continue on 
through it for any great length of time. 

So Jose was finally landed. He seemed to be 
rejoiced to find himself once more on solid 
ground. True, he would always boast of having 
been up almost to the clouds, but it is unlikely 
that any ordinary attraction could tempt him 
to try it again. 

He shook hands with each of the boys when 
they were ready to once more venture into 


HOME AGAIN— CONCLUSION 247 


unknown space with the aeroplane. Andy w r as 
a little dubious about accepting that hand, 
which he felt pretty sure had not always been 
free from crime; but then Frank had done it, 
and he felt that he could not do better than 
imitate his cousin in such matters. 

They had no particular trouble about the 
new launching; indeed, now that the biplane 
was free from the weight of Jose, it seemed to 
mount upward like a bird that has broken loose 
from its cage. 

The last they saw of the Mexican he was 
waving a hand after them. And Frank felt 
well satisfied with the morning’s work. He be- 
lieved that not only had they succeeded in 
rescuing the little girl, but that fortune had 
allowed them to give a bad man a chance to 
open his eyes. It might be the means of turning 
Jose Sandero from his evil ways; and then 
again the incident was liable to be swallowed 
up by the demands of his hard life. And prob- 
ably they would never know. 

Once again they were flying boldly across 
the wide stretch of desert, with its lonely looking 
cactus plants, and its queer winrows of sand 
that looked for all the world as though a 
giant comb had been drawn over the land, 
leaving it in this peculiar condition. 


248 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


When, finally, they reached the northern end 
of the desert, and headed direct for the ranch 
house, possibly both of the Bird boys were feeling 
happier that ever before in all their lives. They 
had accomplished what seemed next door to a 
miracle, because, had the men in “ chaps” 
chased after Jose, and threatened to take him, 
there could be no telling what the desperate 
Mexican might not have done rather than 
submit. 

“Look there, Frank,” Andy was saying a 
little later, “you can see the ranch house as 
plain as anything from here, and why, if that 
ain ’t the boys coming on the tear over yonder!” 

Frank, looking, saw that his chum spoke the 
truth. There could be seen a confused medley 
of boys and horses. They were whipping their 
mounts madly, and using both hats and quirts 
to try and increase their speed. 

“That must be Charley Woo among the front 
ones,” Frank remarked, after he had taken a 
second good look. 

“Yes, you can tell him miles off by his white 
clothes,” Andy went on to say, “and he’s done 
himself proud, has Charley, this day. Uncle 
must be there alongside, and asking more ques- 
tions, as he tried to get a little more speed out 
of his mount. And I reckon they’ve glimpsed 


HOME AGAIN— CONCLUSION 249 


us, Frank, by the way they act. Are we going 
to land and let them see that Little Sunbeam 
is safe with us?” 

“It would be cruelty to animals not to,” 
replied the pilot, as he started to head gradually 
toward the earth. 

Ten minutes later, and they were surrounded 
by an eager, excited throng, and when Buck- 
skin, Shorty, and all that lot learned that little 
Becky had not suffered to any serious extent 
as a result of her terribly long and wearisome 
ride, bound on a pony as she had been, they 
“awoke all creation,” as Andy declared, with 
their exultant whoops. 

Nothing would do but that the boys must tell 
the whole story; and those wild riders fairly 
held their breath as they listened to the modest 
account of that most remarkable dash through 
space, to arrive just in the nick of time — Frank 
called it the psychological moment, and then 
had to stop and explain just what he meant by 
that, before they would let him proceed. 

It was the greatest story they had ever heard. 
They would never have believed such a thing 
possible, only that they knew Frank and 
Andy never told yarns, or even stretched a 
fish story. Besides, there was little Becky ready 
to corroborate all that had been said. 


250 BIRD BOYS’ AEROPLANE WONDER 


Mr. Witherspoon insisted upon taking the 
child on his horse, and thus heading for the 
ranch, while the boys continued their flight; 
of course they would arrive at their destination 
an hour before the ponies could make it, and 
thus relieve the minds of those who were there. 

The round-up was all off for the present. 
Later on they could make another start, and 
this time the boys would be along, to witness all 
that was done, with Andy taking pictures of the 
various phases of the operation, as long as his 
roll of films lasted. 

But Mr. Witherspoon had learned a lesson, 
and never again would he leave home without 
a sufficient guard remaining there at the ranch 
house to handle any situation that might arise. 

He took some of Frank’s philosophy, to the 
effect that he would always after that be pre- 
pared for possibilities, since lightning can at 
times apparently strike out of a clear sky. 

The boys’ time on the ranch was now getting 
toward a close; but before they left they had 
one pleasant surprise that made them feel 
happy. It was just on the little maid’s sixth 
birthday that a tired Mexican came to the place 
and asked to see Mr. Witherspoon. 

It happened that both boys were with him, 
and remembering their recent adventure in con- 


HOME AGAIN— CONCLUSION 251 


section with one such greaser, they eyed the 
dusty traveler with more or less curiosity. He 
handed Mr. Witherspoon a packet which he said 
his master, who was a ranchero down in Chi- 
huahua, Mexico, had ordered him to get there 
before dark on this particular day. 

Opening the packet the ranchman disclosed 
some beautiful silken garments such as would 
be apt to set a little girl wild with delight ; and 
also a lovely slender gold necklace with pearls 
as its ornaments. 

When he had glanced at the paper that had 
come with this gift Mr. Witherspoon smiled, 
and looked meaningly at the boys. 

“Well, all I can say is, that you two boys 
are next door to wizards. You’ve actually 
made an impression on a heart that I calculated 
was a hard as flint. Here are some presents for 
our little girl; and on the paper I read in 
Spanish: “To the little Senorita Rebecca from 
her unworthy father, on her sixth birthday. 
May the good God bless her.” 

And neither of the boys so much as smiled, 
for they felt that in some fashion that merciful 
act of Frank’s in treating Jose Sandero so 
generously had borne such fruit as no one would 
ever have believed possible. 

When the time came for them to say goodbye 


252 BIRD BOYS' AEROPLANE WONDER 


to Uncle Jethro and the jolly boys on the Double 
X Ranch, it was hard to do it. And neither 
Frank nor Andy would ever forget the rousing- 
cheers that burst from the lips of those happy- 
go-lucky punchers, Buckskin, Waldo Kline, 
Shorty, Alkali Joe and the rest, not forgetting 
even Charley Woo, when they saw the last of 
them at the station. 

Of course Frank and Andy reached their home 
town in safety, and in due time the biplane once 
more rested in its accustomed hangar back of 
Frank Bird’s home; with the first snow of 
winter covering the ground, and a frosty tang in 
the air that was just the opposite of that torrid 
wave the Bird boys struck when crossing the 
Arizona desert. 

And it is to be hoped that we will have the 
pleasure of recounting further thrilling adven- 
tures that befell these intrepid air pilots in other 
volumes to succeed this. Meanwhile, having 
seen them safely through experiences at the 
cattle ranch, and once more back home before 
the delayed session of school opened, it only 
remains for us to say goodbye to the reader and 
write — 


THE END. 


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WOODCRAFT 

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By OWEN JONES and MARCUS WOODMAN 

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izzz — i t .- i 

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2. Lone Wolf Cave 

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Oscar the Naval Cadet Capt. Ralph Bonehill 

Blue Water Rovers Victor St. Clare 

A Royal Smuggler William Dalton 

A Boy Crusoe Allen Erie 

ADVENTURE AND JUNGLE SERIES 
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Guy in the Jungle Wm. Murray Grayden 

Casket of Diamonds Oliver Optic 

The Boy Railroader Matthew White, Jr. 

Treasure of South Lake Farm W. Bert Foster 


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Young Hunters in Porto Rico; or, The Search for a Lost Treasure. 
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The Missing Tin Box; or, Hal Carson’s Remarkable City Adventure. 
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By Archdeacon Farrar 
Julian Home; or, A Tale of College Life. 

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By Louis Arundel 


*• — The Motor Club's Cruise Down the Mississippi; or, The Dash 
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By John Luther Langworthv 

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5. — Camp Mates in Michigan; or, With Pack and Paddle in the Pine 

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6. — Rocky Mountain Boys; or, Camping in the Big Game Country. 


For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of 50 cents. 

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Printed from large, clear type on a superior quality of paper, 
embellished with original illustrations by eminent artists, and bound 
in a superior quality of binders’ cloth, ornamented with illustrated 
covers, stamped in colors from unique and appropriate dies, each 
book wrapped in a glazed paper wrapper printed in colors. 

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By 

G. HARVEY RALPHSON, of the Black Bear Patrol. 

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By 

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1 . — Motorcycle Chums in the Land of the Sky; or, Thrilling Adven- 

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For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of 50 cents. 

M. A. DONOHUE & CO. 

701-733 So. Dearborn Street, 


Chicago 









































































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